Press Releases
Lankford Urges DOJ to Investigate Improper PPP Funding for Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MI), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), David Perdue (R-GA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Be… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Lankford Recognizes on Senate Floor the Work of Oklahoma Ag and Energy Industries during COVID-19
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHIINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today provided an update on the Senate floor of what the Oklahoma agriculture and energy industries are experiencing right now and what they see on the horizon with the impact of the coronavirus on markets, production, and workforce reductions. Lankford highlighted personal stories from Oklahoma agriculture producers in Jefferson and Washita Counties and their work to overcome the obstacl… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Lankford, Inhofe Praise Confirmation of Oklahoman John Heil
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate confirmation of Oklahoma attorney, Mr. John F. Heil, III, to serve as a US District Judge for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma. Lankford spoke on the Senate floor in support of Mr. Heil immediately before his confirmation. "I am grateful for the Senate's attention to Mr. Heil's nomination to fill this vacancy in the US District Courts for all areas of Oklahoma," said Lankford. … Continue Reading
05.19.20
Lankford Comments on Planned Parenthood Accessing PPP Loans
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the in response to news that Planned Parenthood applied for and received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which it was not eligible for: "The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to support small businesses, non-profits, and their employees through the health crisis currently facing our nation. Planned Parenthood's budget of over one billion dollars a year and the explicit Small Business Ad… Continue Reading
05.19.20
Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution to Honor the Life of Dr. Tom Coburn
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution to honor the life and legacy of former Oklahoma Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn. Lankford and Inhofe both offered remarks on the Senate floor in tribute to the late Dr. Coburn. "The Senate is a better place because Dr. Coburn was in it," said Lankford. "When Oklahomans lost Dr. Coburn, our nation lost a man who fought for what's right and wielded his one voice and his one vote in the Senate to bring needed change. He eagerly challenged … Continue Reading
05.14.20
Lankford Votes to Protect Americans’ Privacy, Prevent Terrorism
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported reauthorizing three expired provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The three provisions considered today in the Senate concerned the use of wiretaps on multiple phones used by the same person, the collection of business records, and the "lone wolf" provision, which authorizes the FISA court to permit surveillance of an individual who isn't formally tied to a foreign government. The bill passed the Senate n a … Continue Reading
05.13.20
Lankford Provides COVID Update, Questions Hyper-Partisan House Bill on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today provided an update on the Senate floor about the Senate's work on COVD- and non-COVID-related legislative matters this week to ensure the nation can continue to move forward through the pandemic and beyond. Lankford has introduced legislation on or communicated with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Treasury Department recently on adjusting the Paycheck Protection Progra… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Lankford Joins Colleagues to Introduce a Bill to Permit PPP to Larger Nonprofits, Prevent Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Services
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced the Limiting Infant Fatality and Empowering Nonprofit Organization Workforces (LIFE NOW) Act. This legislation eliminates the affiliation rules and 500-employee cap for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to allow larger nonprofits to receive PPP loans. It also prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding abortion providers. "Subjecting not-for-profit organizations to aff… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Lankford, Rosen Statement Condemning News of Anti-Semitism in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement in response to reports that a senior Ukrainian police officer requested a list of all Jewish residents in the city of Kolomyya, including their personal information. "As co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism and strong supporters of the US-Ukraine bilateral relationship, we are grave… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Senate Passes Lankford, Inhofe Bill That Works Towards Taiwan’s Inclusion in WHO
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate's unanimous passage of S. 249, which calls for the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status in the World Health Organization. "Taiwan is a stable, democratic US partner in the Asia-Pacific and I'm grateful the Senate unanimously passed legislation to advocate for them to regain its observer status with the World Health Organization," said Lankford. "US leadershi… Continue Reading
05.11.20
Senate Approves Lankford’s Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Public Servants Working to Overcome COVID-19
WASHINGTON, DC -The US Senate today unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution from Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee, that honors public servants in Oklahoma and across the nation and their work to overcome COVID-19 by designating May 3rd - May 9th as Public Service Recognition Week. The bipartisan resolution commends public servants at all levels of government -including Oklahoma… Continue Reading
05.11.20
Lankford Announces Continued Financial Support for Oklahoma Tribes Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued details after US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced a path forward for Coronavirus Relief Funds to Oklahoma Tribal nations. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $8 billion to respond to the coronavirus preparedness, response, and recovery for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Lankford spoke with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney a… Continue Reading
05.08.20
Lankford and Smith Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Health Care Resources for Urban Indian Health Organizations Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced bipartisan legislation to boost health resources for urban Indian health organizations as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forces many to grapple with financial hardship and even close operations. The Coverage for Urban Indian Health Providers Act, also co-sponsored Tom Udall (D-NM) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) would amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to create parity within the Indian Health System (I… Continue Reading
05.07.20
Lankford, King, Colleagues Urge Leadership to Consider Nonprofits in Next Relief Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Angus King (I-ME) today sent a bipartisan letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to advocate that they do not overlook nonprofits, charities, and houses of worship in the fourth-phase relief proposal for the coronavirus pandemic. The letter asks the Leaders to consider expanding access to relief and support, increase unemployment insurance reimbursement for nonprofit employees, and stren… Continue Reading
05.07.20
Lankford Honors Former Oklahoma Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn, on the Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today honored the life and legacy of his friend and former Oklahoma Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn, whose passing was announced March 28, 2020. Lankford's tribute to Dr. Coburn included important lessons imparted on him by Dr. Coburn prior to Lankford's service in both the House and Senate. Lankford also highlighted the legacy Dr. Coburn leaves behind in the Senate as an institution and on his … Continue Reading
05.06.20
Lankford Named One of the Most Conservative Senators
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was awarded the 2019 Award for Conservative Excellence by the American Conservative Union (ACU) Foundation for his voting record in 2019. Lankford obtained an ACU rating of 95 percent, the second-highest in the Senate. "I am grateful Oklahomans put their trust in me to press for our conservative values as a nation, including working to find areas of common ground across the aisle," said Lankford. "As a nation it's important that we continue to purs… Continue Reading
05.06.20
Lankford Asks Treasury, SBA to Adjust PPP Loan Forgiveness to Help Oklahoma Restaurants, Other Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), joined a bipartisan group of Senators to send a letter yesterday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Jovita Carranza, urging changes to the loan forgiveness criteria of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help small businesses and particularly restaurants, which tend to have lower payroll expenses, use the program to stay afloat during … Continue Reading
05.05.20
Lankford Sends Letter to USDA to Support Oklahoma Chicken Farmers and Processors
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), led sent a letter to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlighting the severe impacts of COVID-19 on the US chicken industry and requesting direct assistance for chicken growers and continued support for processing facilities. "As representatives of states with substantial chicken operations, we strongly request that USDA provide direct assistance fo… Continue Reading
05.05.20
Lankford Sends Letter to USDA to Support Oklahoma Chicken Farmers and Processors
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), sent a letter to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlighting the severe impacts of COVID-19 on the US chicken industry and requesting direct assistance for chicken growers and continued support for processing facilities. "As representatives of states with substantial chicken operations, we strongly request that USDA provide direct assistance for chic… Continue Reading
05.04.20
Lankford, GOP Colleagues Send Letter to FBI and ATF to Ensure Second Amendment is Preserved during COVID Response
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), and 26 of their colleagues sent a letter today to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Acting Director Regina Lombardo encouraging them to protect public safety while respecting the Second Amendment and federal law related to the three-business-day waiting period for firearm purchases and seeking information on how the federal firearms background chec… Continue Reading
