Press Releases
Senator Lankford Applauds Launch of Oklahoma Fosters Initiative
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for launching the Oklahoma Fosters Initiative, a campaign to recruit more foster and adoptive families for Oklahoma foster children. "I applaud the new Oklahoma Fosters Initiative to recruit more foster and adoptive families for our children who are in the foster care system," said Lankford. "Foster children often go through a lot, so we must step up and care for the 11,000 children in our state's fo… Continue Reading
11.10.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Advocates for a Pro-Growth Energy Strategy in America
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate tonight to advocate for a pro-growth energy policy in America. During the remarks, Lankford pointed out the President's flawed justification for rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline, as he did in a fact-checking blog op-ed over the weekend. Lankford also made the case for lifting the ban on oil exports. Excerpts: On the Keystone XL Pipeline: But I have to tell you … Continue Reading
11.10.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Hearing on Internal Security Breaches within U.S. Secret Service
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, under the chairmanship of Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), will hold a joint hearing on Tuesday, November 17, at 10:00am ET entitled, "Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and Their Government-wide Implications." Thi… Continue Reading
11.10.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Releases Special Veterans Day Message
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released a special video in honor of Veterans Day to thank the servicemen and women and their families for the sacrifices they make to defend our nation. CLICK HERE to watch the video. Below is the full transcript from the video: A hero is someone who gives their life and their time and their service for something bigger than themselves, to honor other people. That certainly describes our veterans. Men and women who put the uniform on; who s… Continue Reading
11.10.15
Senator Lankford Supports NDAA, Again
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the Senate's second passage of a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed by a vote of 91-3: "The Senate has passed, not once, but twice, responsible bipartisan legislation to give our military the strategy and funding it needs to defend our nation and keep us safe. It is extremely disappointing that the President would put politics over our national security by stalling this very important bi… Continue Reading
11.09.15
Senator Lankford in The Oklahoman: Fact-checking the president's Keystone decision
by Senator James Lankford
President Obama on Friday announced his rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Since the beginning of this debate, seven years ago, everyone generally knew of the president's opposition to oil, gas and coal, but no one dreamed he would hold a pipeline permit for over 2,000 days, then reject it with no data-based conclusions. When any president can hold a private construction permit for years, after it has been approved by every affected state, then reject the permit for political reasons… Continue Reading
11.08.15
Senator Lankford in Tulsa World: We need a regulatory process of the people and by the people
by Senator James Lankford
Many Oklahomans know the cost of basic items such as food, insurance, banking and consumer goods continue to rise, but some might not realize many of the cost increases are directly connected to new regulatory costs passed on to consumers. The federal government is eager to regulate every action of our lives, but the result of this accelerating federal regulatory activity is not good for our collective bottom line. The recent national Gross Domestic Product announcement of a measly 1.5 percent … Continue Reading
11.06.15
Senator Lankford: Keystone XL Pipeline Decision Not Based on Merits of the Project
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the Obama Administration's denial of TransCanada's application to build the Keystone XL Pipeline: "We finally have the 'yes' or 'no' the President could not give years ago. For seven years, the Obama Administration has delayed the application to build the Keystone Pipeline without justification. With their application pending for 2604 days, the Administration denied a simple request to build a safe pipelin… Continue Reading
11.05.15
Lankford Subcommittee Analyzes Latest Federal Agency Retrospective Review Process
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), held a hearing today to examine federal agencies' current retrospective review efforts, in response to President Obama's Executive Orders 13563 and 13610. Specifically, the Executive Orders directed agencies to develop and submit to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) plans for periodic review of ex… Continue Reading
11.05.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford to Release a Government Waste Report This Fall
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced he will release a federal government waste and solutions report later this fall. Specifically, the report will highlight examples of wasteful or duplicative spending, along with burdensome regulations, but will also offer a policy solution to each of the problems. Lankford's report, entitled, "Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball", will continue a tradition started by former Senator Tom Coburn, MD. The Office of S… Continue Reading
11.04.15
Senator Lankford Urges President to Overturn WOTUS
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for a resolution of disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) rule. The resolution passed with a bipartisan vote of 53-44. "The 'Waters of the United States' rule is one of the greatest examples of presidential overreach in a decade," said Lankford. "The American people have soundly rejected this expansion of power, because they agree that federal authority should be limited on priv… Continue Reading
11.04.15
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Co-sponsor Resolution Recognizing "National Pregnancy Center Week"
WASHINGTON, DC- Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) have co-sponsored a resolution in the Senate that designates the week of November 8, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." The resolution recognizes the vital role that community-supported pregnancy centers (also known as pregnancy care and pregnancy resource centers) play in saving lives and serving women and men faced with difficult pregnancy decisions. "Pregnancy centers in Oklahoma, and around the nation, do a tremendous jo… Continue Reading
11.03.15
Senator Lankford Statement on the Federal Water Quality Protection Act
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the Senate Democrat filibuster of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S.1140), a bill that Lankford co-sponsored. In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final "Water of the United States" (WOTUS) rule that would drastically expand their definition of navigable waters, well beyond the intention of the 1972 Clean Water Act. S.1140 would protect homeowners and farmers by directing the E… Continue Reading
11.03.15
Senator Lankford Greets Oklahoma Honor Flight for Final 2015 Trip to Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today greeted Oklahoma veterans during a one-day trip to Washington, DC war memorials with the Honor Flight charity. Oklahoma Honor Flights began making trips in May 2010 and this was its 23rd flight from Oklahoma. "We are indebted to our Honor Flight Veterans for the sacrifices they have made to protect America and our freedoms," said Lankford. "Their service to our nation serves as a beacon of hope and liberty not only here, but around the world.… Continue Reading
11.03.15
CRFB: Senator Lankford’s SSDI Amendment Continues Progress on Improving the Program
Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget Sen. Lankford's SSDI Amendment Continues Progress On Improving The Program During last week's debate on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) offered up an amendment making many further changes to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program beyond the ones already included in the law. Sen. Lankford's amendment contained a number of well-known ideas for improving the program, including some presented by the McCrery-… Continue Reading
11.02.15
Senator Lankford Announces New Website
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the launch of a new website. The URL address is the same: www.lankford.senate.gov, but the design, functionality and information features are all new. "In this new age of online technology, the website acts as a virtual office for Oklahomans to stay connected with me and what's happening in the US Senate," said Lankford. "The website allows individuals to request meetings, watch congressional videos, seek help with federal agency or r… Continue Reading
10.30.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Announces New Date for Hearing on Regulatory Retrospective Review
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), has rescheduled its hearing entitled, "Agency Progress in Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations," for Thursday, November 5 at 9:30 AM ET. The hearing was originally scheduled for August 6, but was cancelled due to a change to the Senate calendar for that day. Each president since Jimmy Carter has urged agencies… Continue Reading
10.30.15
Senator Lankford Defends Washington Coach Right to Live His Faith
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about his opposition to Bremerton, Washington School District's decision to put Coach Joe Kennedy on administrative paid leave after he refused to stop praying after football games. On Wednesday, Lankford urged the school district to allow Coach Kennedy to live his faith during a floor speech on the Senate floor. Since 2008, Assistant Coach Kennedy has practiced a tradition of praying at the 50-yard lin… Continue Reading
10.29.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Budget Deal
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) tonight made the following statement on his opposition to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314): "Oklahomans want to see our deficit reduced and our efficiency increased - this budget does neither. Our outrageous debt still stands at $18.5 Trillion. This Budget deal hurts the hardworking American taxpayer by perpetuating the status quo and refusing to take a single step toward balance. Oklahomans have asked over and over for serious entitlem… Continue Reading
10.29.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Slams Budget Deal, Pleads with Congress to Reform SSDI
CLICK HERE to view the video of the speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about his opposition to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and his plea to Congress to pursue real reforms to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Lankford objected to the Budget deal because it perpetuates the status quo on government spending, it doesn't move us toward a balanced budget, it doesn't reduce the deficit, and it uses budget gimmicks to ap… Continue Reading
