Press Releases
Senator Lankford: Happy 4th of July
CLICK HERE to view the video. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following video statement wishing Oklahomans a Happy 4th of July: "Two-hundred and forty years ago this week, a group of individuals in a very hot Philadelphia finally resolved a long-standing debate: are we going to be colonies or are we going to be an independent nation. They resolved for freedom, for independence. They wrote, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created eq… Continue Reading
06.30.16
Lankford Subcommittee Exposes Obama Administration Abuse of Regulatory Guidance Directives
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 hearing on the Obama administration's abuse and overuse of regulatory guidance directives, rather than the use of the more transparent rulemaking process. This hearing was a continuation of the Subcommittee's previous oversight of the use of guidance, including a hearing held September 23, 2015. Today's h… Continue Reading
06.30.16
Senators Lankford, Heitkamp Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Transparency at More Than 70 Federal Agencies
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) have introduced a bipartisan bill to require federal agency Inspectors General to publicly post their reform recommendations online, to improve transparency and better identify government waste. The Inspector General Recommendation Transparency Act would fill a gap in federal management and help Congress do a better job overseeing 73 federal agencies where Inspectors General conduct audits to combat waste, fraud, and abuse… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Senator Lankford Supports Oversight Board for Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on Senate passage of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (S.2328): "The American territory of Puerto Rico has mismanaged its financial obligations by relying on heavy borrowing instead of making needed reforms. As a result, their government is insolvent and can barely fulfill basic services to its citizens. This bill will force Puerto Rico to restructure its $73 billion debt under the s… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Senator Lankford Offers Legislation to Provide Accountability in American Foreign Spending, Press Administration for Details on Billion-Dollar Payment to Iran
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered five amendments to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill during its markup in Committee. The amendments addressed a variety of issues, including restricting foreign aid to wealthy countries and financial oversight over the Obama Administration's billion-dollar cash payment to Iran. "No one wants their tax money wasted, especially if it's wasted overseas," said Lankford. "The amendments I offered provi… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Prayer Caucus Co-Chairmen: SCOTUS’ Failure to Review Washington State’s Coercive Regulation Disturbing
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional Prayer Caucus Chairmen, Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statements today in response to the United States Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case of Stormans v. Wiesman: "The Supreme Court's refusal to review Washington State's extreme and unnecessary regulations is, in the words of Justice Alito, 'an ominous sign' for religious freedom in America," said Forbes. "It is possible to both respect the religiou… Continue Reading
06.28.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Terrorist Attack in Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey: "Today, we have another horrific event- senseless violence against innocent civilians. Freedom-loving people around the world must not waver in our commitment to defeat violent extremism. America stands with the people of Turkey, and we remain ready to assist them in their time of need. In the coming days, we will assess this attack at one of the world's busiest airports. F… Continue Reading
06.28.16
Senator Lankford Opposes Zika Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement today on his opposition to the Senate vote on the Conference Report for the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which provides for $1.1 billion in spending to address the Zika virus but only pays for $750 million of that total, adding an additional $350 million in debt: "Last month, I introduced a plan that would have provided the necessary funding to address the Zika virus without growing our … Continue Reading
06.27.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court released their decision on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt: "I am extremely disappointed in the Court's decision to strike down provisions of a Texas state law that would ensure common-sense medical protections for women seeking abortions. This decision by the Court will allow abortion clinics to operate at a lower standard of safety than out-patient surgical centers, … Continue Reading
06.23.16
Senator Lankford Co-sponsors Legislation to Prevent Terrorists From Buying Guns
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) in co-sponsoring legislation to keep guns away from suspected terrorists, while protecting constitutional 'due process' rights for all Americans who purchase a firearm. The legislation was offered as an amendment (#4859) to the FY17 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill (HR 2578), which is currently being debated in the Senate. "On June 12, a radical Islamic-inspired terrorist… Continue Reading
06.23.16
Senator Lankford Statement on the Supreme Court Decision to Block President Obama’s Immigration Policy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court blocked the implementation of Present Obama's executive order, which would defer the deportation of illegal immigrants: "President Obama's plan to change immigration law unilaterally is a clear overstep of our nation's founding principle-the separation of powers. Congress has the sole authority to write laws and, today, the Supreme Court's decision underscores the importan… Continue Reading
06.21.16
Senator Lankford Continues Fighting Obama’s Internet Giveaway
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a letter to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary Lawrence Strickling, questioning the agency's apparent violation of federal law in using federal funds to relinquish U.S. oversight of the Internet. The Obama administration has sought to transfer the Department of Commerce's Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, which is responsible for administrative fu… Continue Reading
06.20.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Gun-Related Senate Votes
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after the Senate voted on several security and gun-related amendments to the FY17 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill (HR 2578): "Keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans to defend themselves is not mutually exclusive. My colleagues and I have all taken an oath of office to protect and defend our nation, as well as protect and … Continue Reading
06.14.16
Senator Lankford Supports National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (S.2943) by a vote of 85-13: "With the instability around the world at an all-time high, our state is very aware that national defense is a priority and constitutional responsibility. This National Defense Authorization Act provides essential equipment for the military to work with our intelligence community to combat radical Islamic terrorism and the… Continue Reading
06.12.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Orlando Shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida: "The senseless massacre in Orlando is a horrible atrocity for America, and our prayers are with the victims and their families. We all grieve this loss of life at the hands of a hate-filled coward. Oklahoma knows the sting of terrorism all too well, and now we all stand with the people of Orlando and the state of Florida. As the intelligence community and l… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Senator Lankford Delivers Speech at Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, DC. During the speech, Lankford discussed a few accomplishments of the new Republican-controlled Senate Majority, and made the case that families and local communities could address many of America's societal problems better than the federal government. Lankford also challenged the primarily religious audience to reject an angry tone of politic… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Senators Lankford, Hatch, Lee, Cruz and Cornyn Introduce Stop Settlements Slush Fund Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced the Stop Settlements Slush Fund Act (S.3050) to prohibit settlement agreements that require donations to third-parties. This legislation will prevent the Department of Justice's (DOJ) practice that sometimes requires defendants who choose to settle lawsuits to contribute funds to preferred third-party groups selected by the Administration. In recent years… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Senator Lankford Opposes Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his opposition to the FY2017 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which passed committee today by a vote of 29-1. Lankford was the lone 'no' vote: "A more transparent and open appropriations process is moving through the Senate. I'm glad this bill prioritizes funding for basic medical research, year-round pell grants for low-income students, and includes modest Social Security… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Senator Lankford: National Security and Fiscal Responsibility Are Not Mutually Exclusive
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment #4229, offered by Senator John McCain, to increase military spending by $18 billion: "Providing for national security and being fiscally responsible are not mutually exclusive. We can ensure a strong national defense without increasing our defense spending by $18 billion of debt spending. Washington budget caps should not be a moving target. … Continue Reading
06.08.16
Senator Lankford Statement on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress: "Our two democracies have a strong and historic partnership. India is an invaluable ally and shares many of our same values, including the protection of religious freedom, enshrined in both our nations' constitutions. I am pleased that Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance to protect the fundamental right of every person to… Continue Reading
