Press Releases
Senator Lankford Supports Oklahomans for US District Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of two nominees for the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Judge Suzanne Mitchell and Scott Palk. "Suzanne's and Scott's background and work in Oklahoma make them uniquely qualified to serve our state as federal judges," said Lankford. "I believe they are devoted to public service and will uphold both the rule of law and integrity of the court. I ask my Senate col… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senator Lankford Opposes Energy Policy Modernization Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after he opposed the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 (S.2012). "While I appreciate the intent of the bill and support several provisions, such as expediting permits so the US may continue to export some of our bountiful natural gas resources, I cannot support legislation that uses taxpayer dollars flippantly," said Lankford. "The bill encourages an expansion of federal land holdings by permanently reau… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senator Lankford Denounces Politicization of OKC Bombing Anniversary
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about the Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the politicization of the Anniversary in the debate over the Supreme Court Justice nomination process. Excerpts: …since February, Republicans have been very consistent, myself included, to say this is not the time to have a Supreme Court Justice go through the nomination process. In the hours after Jus… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senator Lankford Offers Amendment to Reform Land and Water Conservation Fund
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor on the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 and his amendment (#3210) to reform the broken Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Specifically, the amendment would require spending on land acquisition to not exceed spending on maintenance; require that land acquisitions funded through the LWCF include funding for maintenance needs on the land to be acquired; … Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senator Lankford Supports Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, which includes several measures to increase vetting and screening of airport employees, expand enrollment to the TSA PreCheck program to expedite passengers through security lines, increase standards for hiring air traffic controllers and enhance security for international flights bound for the US. The bill also addresses cybersecurity threats that face… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing: "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the survivors and first responders of the Oklahoma City bombing tragedy 21 years ago. Although two decades have passed, we continue to remember this deplorable act of terrorism, but we also remember the many heroes who helped Oklahoma recover. We continue to grieve the loss of that fateful day, but we are proud that Okla… Continue Reading
04.15.16
Lankford Letter - April 15
CLICK HERE for the April 15, 2016 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
04.13.16
Senator Lankford Speaks on Senate Floor About National Security, Iran and Guantanamo Bay Detention
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about national security. Specifically, he discussed radical Islam, America's leadership role against terrorism, his Iran Nuclear Accountability resolution, and legislation to restrict detainee transfers from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. Excerpts: Introduction: Oklahomans are concerned about National Security: As I traveled all over Oklahoma during the… Continue Reading
04.13.16
Senator Lankford and Congressman Russell Introduce Bill to Terminate Nearly 40 Year Old “Temporary” Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Steve Russell (OK-5) today introduced the Senate and House versions of the Free Market Flights Act, a bill to terminate the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. The EAS was established in the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 with the intention of being a ten-year program to assist small communities in the transition to a free market airline system. EAS spending has grown 600 percent, in inflation adjusted dollars, in the last 20 year… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Senator Lankford Introduces ‘Federal Fumble’ Proposal as an Amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 (HR 636) that would eliminate the Department of Transportation Essential Air Service, a proposal included in Lankford's 'Federal Fumbles' government waste report. "With any bill the Senate addresses, we need to continue to push recommendations that reduce government waste and protect the taxpayer," said Lankford. "This amendment focuses on cutting waste out o… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Senator Lankford Leads Roundtable on USAJOBS Website and Federal Hiring 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), today held a roundtable on the ongoing efforts to improve the USAJOBS website platform and the federal hiring process. The USAJOBS website is the federal government's central job posting and recruitment website and is operated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The site receives 20 million visits per month a… Continue Reading
04.10.16
Senator Lankford in Tulsa World: Holding Iran accountable for the nuclear deal
by Senator James Lankford
As we confront threats of terrorism all over the word, national security and Middle East stability are more important than ever for Americans. In addition to border security, strong defense and capable intelligence services, any homeland security strategy must address nuclear threats and accountability measures for Iran and its nuclear program. Many of my colleagues in the Senate and I were exceedingly skeptical last July when the Obama administration signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Acti… Continue Reading
04.08.16
Senator Lankford Secures Change to DHS Religious Freedom Language
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to change its documentation to accurately reflect America's First Amendment right of freedom of 'religion', and not just freedom of 'worship'. Last year, Lankford urged the Department to make this change. On Thursday, DHS issued a notice to the public that they are currently in the process of updating all relevant internal and external publications, including test study material… Continue Reading
04.07.16
As Iran Touts Their Nuclear Activity, Senator Lankford Pushes To Hold Them Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC - As Iran celebrates National Nuclear Technology Day today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) re-emphasized his commitment to hold Iran accountable if they violate the terms in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Today, Iran President Hassan Rouhani unveiled Iran's latest nuclear achievements during a ceremony to honor the country's National Nuclear Technology Day on Friday. Rouhani unveiled 12 nuclear achievements at the Iran… Continue Reading
04.06.16
Senator Lankford Introduces Resolution to Hold President Obama Accountable for Iran Nuclear Deal Commitments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced a Senate resolution (S.Res 414) to ensure President Obama follows through on his commitment to reimpose sanctions if Iran violates the nuclear deal. "National security remains on the mind of every American," said Lankford. "The fact that Iran is still the world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism is impossible to ignore. The Obama Administration caved to Iran's demands to import arms, and Iran has continued to pursue a ballistic m… Continue Reading
04.05.16
Senator Lankford Joins Senate Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case Challenging Obama Administration’s Immigration Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and 43 other Senate Republicans filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in the case of the United States v. Texas, in opposition to the Obama Administration's November 2014 executive actions on immigration. Twenty-five other states, including Oklahoma, joined Texas in the lawsuit. The brief argues that only Congress has the authority to write immigration law, not the Executive branch. The President's action represents a clear cons… Continue Reading
04.04.16
Senators James Lankford, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee Challenge ICANN on Internet Oversight and Relationship with China
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a follow-up letter to Dr. Stephen Crocker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), demanding a response to a series of unanswered questions that remain from previous congressional oversight letters concerning ICANN's relationship with the Chinese government and the planned transition away from U.S. government oversight of the Internet. … Continue Reading
03.28.16
Senator Lankford Marks #CutRedTape Initiative Anniversary, Highlights Subcommittee Regulatory Work
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today recognized the one-year anniversary of the #CutRedTape Initiative and highlighted the regulatory oversight work on the Subcommittee that he chairs. "I'm extremely proud of the work we have done within the Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee on behalf of the nation," said Lankford. "Regulations have a tremendous impact on the lives of all Oklahomans and the American people. Regulations affect everyone; they can have a pos… Continue Reading
03.24.16
Lankford Letter - March 24
CLICK HERE for the March 24, 2016 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
03.23.16
Senator Lankford Statement on ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’ Supreme Court Oral Arguments
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the start of oral arguments today in the Little Sisters of the Poor Supreme Court case (Zubik v. Burwell): "This case represents a serious concern that many Americans have with their First Amendment rights and the ability to live out their convictions in everyday life. It is not the place of government to determine what a person's religion requires, and the government cannot justify trampling religious beliefs w… Continue Reading
