Press Releases
Lankford Moves Bill to End Government Shutdowns
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today took an important step to move his bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act forward in the legislative process. The bill would set up an automatic continuing resolution (CR) at the current spending level if an agreement on funding has not been enacted at the end of any fiscal year. It will also mandate that if the appropriations work is not done on time, all members of Congress must stay in Washington DC and work seven days a week, until th… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Lankford Statement on Lebanon Explosion
Lankford Statement on Lebanon Explosion WASHINGTON DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement on the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon: "My family grieves with the thousands of affected families in Lebanon. Prior to yesterday's tragedy, Lebanon was at a critical point due to the economic and security challenges facing the Lebanese people, worsened by regional terrorism, the Syrian civil war, financial mismanagement and a global pandemic. In the aftermath of yesterday's explosio… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Lankford Highlights His Priorities, Frustrations in COVD-19 Relief Proposals
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today shared his priorities for the ongoing coronavirus relief legislation conversations and shared some of his frustrations with the proposals so far. Lankford highlighted proposals to update the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), individual assistance payments, and other positive areas of the CARES Act. However, Lankford also addressed partisan politics in the on… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Lankford, Inhofe Join Bill to Provide Certainty For Permit Program for Oklahoma Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce a bill to allow critical infrastructure project proponents to continue relying on the nationwide permit (NWP) program in light of recent court decisions. Along with Inhofe and Lankford, cosponsors on the bill include Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Li… Continue Reading
08.05.20
Lankford, Inhofe Join Bill to Provide Certainty For Permit Program for Oklahoma Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) this week in introducing a bill to allow critical infrastructure project proponents to continue relying on the nationwide permit (NWP) program in light of recent court decisions. Along with Inhofe and Lankford, cosponsors on the bill include Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Til… Continue Reading
08.04.20
Lankford Announces Tulsa-native as Healthcare Legislative Assistant
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced that Ms. Cambridge Neal will fill the role of Legislative Assistant for all healthcare issues under both the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees, including Medicare, Medicaid, rural health, and the overall response to the coronavirus pandemic. "Cambridge has already served as a valuable resource to bring Oklahomans' issues to Washington to get them resolved, and I know she will bring that same tenacit… Continue Reading
07.30.20
Lankford Honors the Life and Legacy of Civil Rights Champion Rep. John Lewis
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. CLICK HERE to download Lankford's speech from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today paid tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) with whom Lankford served in the House of Representatives. Lankford praised Lewis for his long legacy as a civil rights leader and for his faith background and its emphasis on why he felt our nation needed race reconciliations. Lankford recognized several of Lewis's many accomplishments to move our … Continue Reading
07.28.20
Lankford Chairs Hearing to Assess Federal Agency Telework Best Practices from Private-sector Experiences
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's opening remarks. CLICK HERE to watch Part I of Lankford's Q&A. CLICK HERE to watch Part II of Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired a hearing of the Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management entitled, "Modernizing Telework: Review of Private Sector Telework Policies during the COVID-19 Pandemic," to speak to leaders in telework of the private sector to help Congress assess… Continue Reading
07.28.20
Lankford Advocates for Continued Rural Health Access
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for rural access to healthcare by calling on his Senate colleagues to include his Rural Hospital Relief Act in any legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would be a permeant solution to update Medicare's Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communit… Continue Reading
07.28.20
Lankford, Inhofe, Mullin Respond to ODAVA's COVID Update
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) made the following statements today after an update from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs on their response to coronavirus, specifically regarding the impact at the Claremore Veterans Center. CLICK HERE to read the update press release. "I am thankful the Claremore Veterans Center has taken swift action to address the tragic outbreak of COVID-19 cases and deaths at the fa… Continue Reading
07.28.20
Lankford Pushes Administration Officials To Break Supply Chain Dependence with China
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials during a Senate Committee on Finance hearing entitled, "Protecting the Reliability of the US Medical Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Lankford questioned dependence on China, who earlier this year prevented companies from shipping Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the height of the pandemic, whic… Continue Reading
07.24.20
Lankford’s Bipartisan Bill to Extend Critical Counterterrorism Program Signed into Law
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - President Trump signed into law this week a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and other Senate colleagues to strengthen our national security by extending the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for three years. The program, created in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, ensures that facilities holding high-risk chemicals have security measures in place to reduce t… Continue Reading
07.23.20
Lankford Supports Annual National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill, which received bipartisan support, was ushered through final passage by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill will authorize $740.5 billion in funding to support military construction projects, push a strong US national defense strategy, care for military families and the civilian workforce, regain US military advant… Continue Reading
07.22.20
Lankford Cautions Vigilance of China’s Aggressive Agenda
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to caution our nation about the dangers of China's aggressive and often predatory actions toward the international community and the US. Lankford discussed the escalating tensions in Hong Kong between the people and the government, both the local Hong Kong government and the increasingly intervening Chinese communist government. This week, Lankford and Senator Tim Kaine (… Continue Reading
07.22.20
Lankford, Portman, Fischer Applaud Committee Passage of Bill to Reduce Regulatory Hurdles, Give Job Creators Freedom to Invest & Hire New Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today applauded the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for passing their Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (UMATA). The bill will reduce excessive unfunded government mandates on job creators, giving them greater freedom to invest in their companies and hire new workers. When the federal government imposes unnecessary and burdensome regulations, it undermines employer… Continue Reading
07.21.20
Lankford, Kaine Introduce Bill to Combat Internet Censorship in Hong Kong
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced the Safeguarding Internet Freedom in Hong Kong Act. The legislation pushes back on China's aggressive actions to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom. The bill comes after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) passed a sweeping security law that threatens the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, including their access to the internet and ability to share information online. Lankford and Kaine's legislation wo… Continue Reading
07.20.20
Lankford Applauds Confirmation of Russell Vought as OMB Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Senate confirmation of Russ Vought as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Last month, Lankford encouraged the Senate to confirm Vought's nomination in a timely manner. "I'm grateful the Senate confirmed Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget," said Lankford. "Russ has more than two years of leadership experience at OMB and I have no doubt this has prepared him to serve our nati… Continue Reading
07.20.20
Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Welcomes Proposal to Congress from State and Tribal Nations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and James Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Kevin Hern (OK-O1), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Tom Cole (OK-04), and Kendra Horn (OK-05) today released the following joint congressional delegation statement regarding the ongoing negotiation between Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter and the Tribal Nations on a proposal to Congress following the decision by the US Supreme Court in McGirt v. Oklahoma: "Following the McGirt decision,… Continue Reading
07.09.20
Oklahoma’s Senators Respond to SCOTUS Ruling on McGirt v. Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued the following statements after the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt v. Oklahoma: "Today's Supreme Court ruling determines that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's reservation was not dis-established when Oklahoma became a state," said Lankford. "The work will continue in the days ahead to clarify a framework for criminal and civil regulatory jurisdiction that provides consistency and predictability for all people liv… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Lankford Applauds SCOTUS Decisions That Uphold the Constitution and Religious Freedom
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statements after the US Supreme Court released two 7-2 decisions today upholding the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. On the Little Sisters of the Poor case (Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania), Lankford commented: "Today is a great day for our nation and the foundational principle of religious liberty. As the Court said, 'For over 150 years, the Little Sisters … Continue Reading
