Press Releases
Senator Lankford Chief of Staff Nominated Assistant Secretary of the Navy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Slavonic is a native Oklahoman and currently serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of Senator Lankford. "Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic is the model of public service. He has dutifully served our nation in the Navy, and he has served the people of Oklahoma as my Chief of Staff. He has been nomin… Continue Reading
12.05.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Strengthen Border Security, Improve Immigration System
CLICK HERE to watch the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined other Senators to introduce the Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act, a bill that aims to strengthen border security and improve interior immigration enforcement. The bill also contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbin's (D-IL) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which protects DACA recipients from deportation. The SECURE Act is cospons… Continue Reading
12.05.17
Senator Lankford Supports Confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen as DHS Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement in support of the confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by a vote of 62 to 37: "I'm glad Kirstjen Nielsen has been confirmed as the next DHS Secretary. She has an impressive resume and extensive experience working at DHS that will serve us well as she leads the agency. Her background in cybersecurity is vital as we continue to confront and protect aga… Continue Reading
12.02.17
Senator Lankford Supports Senate Tax Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed by a vote of 51 to 49. The House passed their version of the bill on November 16, 2017. The differences between the two bills will now be worked out in a conference committee between the House and Senate. Once the conferenced bill is approved by both chambers, it goes to the President's desk for his signature. CLICK HERE to read the differences between the House bi… Continue Reading
11.30.17
Senator Lankford’s RESPECT Act Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK)'s Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act was adopted by the Senate by unanimous consent. The bill would repeal several outdated, offensive federal laws against Native Americans, including unenforced laws currently in place subjecting Native Americans to forced labor. Specific to Oklahoma, the bill would repeal a 100-year old law that allowed for the forced removal of Native American children from… Continue Reading
11.28.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Federal Fumbles on the Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the third volume of Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball. Lankford's annual government waste and solutions report list $473.6 billion in wasteful and inefficient federal spending, but also lists solutions to each of the examples of government waste. Lankford released the report on Monday during a press conference. CLICK HERE to access the report. The current U… Continue Reading
11.27.17
Senator Lankford Releases Federal Fumbles Vol. 3
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released his annual government waste and solutions report. This is the third volume of Lankford's report entitled, Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball. The report lists $473.6 billion in wasteful and inefficient federal spending, but also lists solutions to each of the examples of government waste. The current United States federal debt is $20.49 trillion. The one-year deficit for Fiscal Year 2017 was $666 billion. CLICK … Continue Reading
11.17.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Attorney General Sessions’ Decision to End DoJ Regulation By Guidance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to prohibit the Department of Justice from issuing regulatory guidance documents that have the effect of adopting a new law or regulatory requirements. As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Lankford has long decried this federal agency practice. "Regulatory guidance documents were originally meant to clarify existing law, not create new law. But… Continue Reading
11.17.17
Senators Lankford, Cornyn, and Coons Introduce Resolution to Recognize the Museum of the Bible
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Chris Coons (D-DE) have introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution to recognize the grand opening of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. The museum will officially open today and is free to the public. The museum holds items such as the Gutenberg Bible. Steven Green, Oklahoman, and president of Hobby Lobby serves as Chairman of the Board of the Museum of the Bible. "The museum takes you through six floors of exhibit… Continue Reading
11.16.17
FCC Approves Senator Lankford Proposal to Reform Tribal Lifeline Program
WASHINGTON, DC - The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) today took action to reform its Lifeline low-income subsidy program, a proposal that Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has urged for years and included in his Federal Fumbles government waste report. The Lifeline program helps low-income Americans, including Native Americans, obtain telephone, wireless, and broadband services. Today, the FCC voted 3 to 2 to redefine who is eligible for the additional tribal subsidy through the Lifeline prog… Continue Reading
11.16.17
Senator Lankford Co-sponsors Legislation to Strengthen Background Check System for Firearms Purchases
WASHINGTON - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and others to introduce the bipartisan Fix NICS Act, a bill to ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill penalizes federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and incentivizes states to improve their overall reporting. The bil… Continue Reading
11.15.17
Senator Lankford Joins Colleagues on Senate Floor to Tout Benefits of Tax Reform
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor, along with his Senate colleagues, in support of efforts to reform the US federal tax code for the first time in 30-years. Lankford continues to advocate for tax reform that spurs economic growth, simplifies the overcomplicated tax code, and reduces the national debt. Lankford also joined MSNBC Morning Joe today to discuss the Senate's tax reform proposal and the repeal of the Obamacare … Continue Reading
11.15.17
Senator Lankford Urges Trump Administration to Prioritize Job Creation Over Trade Deficits in NAFTA Renegotiations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today led a letter to the Trump Administration with respect to US trade policy, including the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Lankford was joined on the letter by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD). Specifically, the Senators urged the US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, to refrain from the pursuit of… Continue Reading
11.14.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Universal Charitable Giving Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Universal Charitable Giving Act, which creates a universal charitable deduction in addition to the standard deduction for individuals and married couples that do not itemize. Currently, only taxpayers that itemize their deductions are able to withhold charitable donations. The Universal Charitable Giving Act incentivizes charitable giving for low-income to middle-income taxpayers. This will encourage the continued growth in givin… Continue Reading
11.13.17
Senator Lankford and Congressman Russell Travel to Ukraine and NATO
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Steve Russell (R-OK) returned to the United States today after traveling to Ukraine and NATO to evaluate key anti-terrorism intelligence programs in the region, and visit members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade currently deployed in Ukraine. This trip took place during the Veterans Day weekend from November 9 to November 13 with Senate Intelligence Committee staff and military personnel. While overseas, … Continue Reading
11.10.17
Senator Lankford Releases Veterans Day Message, Praises Senate Passage of Inhofe-Lankford Veterans Bill
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released a video and made the following statement in observance of Veterans Day: "A hero is someone who has devoted their life for something greater than themselves - this describes our veterans. To the many veterans living and serving throughout Oklahoma, thank you for your service." Senators Lankford and Jim Inhofe also praised the Senate's passage of the Enhancing Veterans Care Act (S.1266), a bill introduced by I… Continue Reading
11.09.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Release of Senate Tax Reform Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the release of a Senate tax reform plan: "Tax reform provides an opportunity to kick-start our stagnant economy, provide tax relief to millions of hardworking American families, and simplify our complicated tax code. Today's Senate Republican tax proposal is a starting point for us. In the coming weeks, I expect a vigorous debate in Committee and on the floor of the Senate. Historically, the American econo… Continue Reading
11.04.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Administration’s Announcement of Lee Denney and Scott Biggs
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Administration's announcement of Lee Denney to serve as Oklahoma state director for USDA Rural Development (RD) and Scott Biggs to serve as Oklahoma state director of USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA). "I am pleased the Administration filled these vital positions that serve Oklahoma's diverse agricultural and rural communities," said Lankford. "Lee and Scott are the right candidates to faithfully serve the a… Continue Reading
11.02.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe and Congressman Russell Respond to VA OIG Report on OKC VA Health Care System
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Congressman Steve Russell (OK-5) released statements following today's release of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on the results of an investigation of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System. Earlier this Congress, Lankford, and Inhofe introduced S. 1266, the Enhancing Veterans Care Act, which allows VA's Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) directors and medical center… Continue Reading
11.02.17
Senators Lankford and Manchin Introduce Resolution to Commemorate Anniversary of Balfour Declaration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced a Senate resolution to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. The Balfour Declaration was public statement issued by Great Britain on November 2, 1917, during World War I, announcing support for the establishment of a nation for Jewish people. This declaration set into motion a series of events that led to the reestablishment of the State of Israel in 1948. "It is entirely appropriate… Continue Reading
