Press Releases
Point of View: It's almost Tax Day and the news is good
by Senator James Lankford
Tax Day is a significant day for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Since January, I've been able to hear from Oklahomans about how the tax changes affected their families and small businesses, but soon we'll see the final numbers. Some national media have done all they can to find problems, and since no one likes paying taxes, it's not hard to find negative stories. But there are some undeniable facts. Wages are up, unemployment is down and business investment is up. The economy has added over 3 milli… Continue Reading
04.15.19
Senator Lankford to Hold OKC Community Conversation TODAY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today will hold a Community Conversation at the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives facility in Oklahoma City. Lankford will provide a brief legislative update and then will take questions from the attendees. WHO: Senator James Lankford (R-OK) WHAT: Community Conversation with Senator James Lankford WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm WHERE: Oklahoma Associa… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Senator Lankford Questions NIH Heads on Efforts to Find Non-Addictive Alternatives to Opioid Pain Medicines
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today attended a Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on the fiscal year 2020 budget for the National Institutes of Health. Adequately funding research and treatment or cure development for national public health issues are high priorities for Lankford in his work on the Appropriations Committee. Lankford questioned NIH Dire… Continue Reading
04.11.19
Lankford, Portman, Blumenthal, Carper Reintroduce Bill to Improve Care & Safety for Unaccompanied Minors, Accelerate Immigration Court Proceedings
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tom Carper (D-DE) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation, the Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act, which requires HHS to keep better track of and care for unaccompanied alien children (UACs). This measure, which was first introduced in September 2018, will help both ensure the children's safety and ensure they appear at their immigration court proceedings. A summary of the bill is here … Continue Reading
04.11.19
Senator Lankford Statement of Support for Energy Independence
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement in response to the Executive Order signed by President Trump to promote energy infrastructure and economic growth: "I am pleased President Trump continues to take an active approach to reduce burdens on North American energy independence through the latest Executive Orders," said Lankford. "The US should continue to explore as many forms of energy as possible to power our nation, and our energy producers sho… Continue Reading
04.10.19
Senator Lankford Highlights Positive Impact of Federal Tax Reform in OK
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of Tax Day next week about some of the positive news and real stories from Oklahomans about their experience filing their taxes this year. Lankford specifically offered examples shared with our office from Oklahomans. This year is the first opportunity to see the effects of tax reform on Oklahomans, and Lankford reflected on the positive economic impacts tax reform has had for our state and nation. Lankford supp… Continue Reading
04.10.19
Senators Lankford, Grassley, Risch, Roberts, Hoeven Introduce Small Business Regulatory Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.1120) to require federal agencies to analyze the full impact of a proposed regulation on small businesses during the rulemaking process. Lankford chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Federal Management. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is chairman of the Finance Committee, Jim Risch (R-I… Continue Reading
04.10.19
Senators Lankford, Menendez, Gardner, Markey Honor US-Korean Alliance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced a resolution to honor the US Alliance with the Republic of Korea. The two countries have worked together to promote international peace, security, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law. "The US and Korea have a rich history and partnership that stems from our shared values and national interest," said Lankford. "Korean Americans are an essential benefactor … Continue Reading
04.10.19
Senators Lankford, Casey Call for Support of Organizations Providing Syrian Humanitarian Aid
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced a resolution to affirm the work of Operation Good Neighbor, a partnership of the Israeli government, US NGO's, including faith-based organizations, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to provide humanitarian relief to Syrians. Operation Good Neighbor has helped to provide secure and safe access for NGOs throughout southern Syria. The bicameral, bipartisan resolution affirms the unique collaboration across gover… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Senate Confirms Oklahoman Patrick Wyrick as District Court Judge
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed Oklahoma State Supreme Court Justice Patrick Wyrick to serve as District Judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma: "A year ago, President Trump nominated Justice Wyrick to serve our nation on the federal bench," said Lankford. "Today, the Senate finally confirmed his nomination. I am grateful to State Supreme Court Justice Wyrick for h… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Senator Lankford Seeks Answers on Human Smuggling Crisis at Southern Border
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today attended a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the current situation of unprecedented migration to our southern border. Lankford's questions focused on the effects of existing US court cases and policies that hinder US Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies from fully securing the southern border and processing migrant individuals, families, adults, and chi… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Senator Lankford Attends Hearing on Rising Drug Prices in America
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Finance Committee hearing entitled, Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change, Part III. Lankford had the opportunity to question Derica Rice, Executive Vice President and President of CVS Health and CVS Caremark, Dr. William Fleming, Segment President, Healthcare Services of Humana Inc., John Prince, CEO of OptumRx, and Dr. Mike Kolar, Interim President & CEO, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Pr… Continue Reading
04.04.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on How to Make the Senate Function Again
The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the seventh episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. The seventh episode focuses on how to make the Senate function again in regard to the nominations process, which has been grossly delayed over the last two years. During the episode, Lankford discusses the proposal he offered to improve Senate rules, how each president deserves to pick their staff, and how he hopes the change will allow the Senate to function a… Continue Reading
04.04.19
Senators Lankford, Rounds Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Medical Providers from Performing Dismemberment Abortions
Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2019. This legislation would prohibit physicians from performing dismemberment abortions. It would impose a criminal fine, up to two years in prison, or both for individuals who perform this type of abortion. "Oklahomans and our nation are divided on the issue of when life begins, but most Oklahomans know by now that I believe life begins at conception and that I believe each child in th… Continue Reading
04.03.19
Senator Lankford Issues Statement on Votes to Change Senate Rules
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after a series of votes to change the Senate timeline for nominations to pass by a simple majority. Lankford introduced a resolution to officially change Senate rules (Senate Resolution 50) earlier this year, but it failed to receive the necessary votes for passage yesterday. "Every president, no matter their party, deserves to pick their staff without unnecessary delays," said Lankford. "In 2013, when nominatio… Continue Reading
04.03.19
Senator Lankford Rebukes Lack of Bipartisanship to Get Senate Back to Work
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to express his frustration with the lack of bipartisanship in the conversation of how to make the Senate function again with regard to the nominations process. Earlier this year, Lankford introduced his resolution, S. Res. 50, to update the rules of the Senate regarding the number of hours of "post-cloture" debate time for which nominees are eligible. Lankford's resolution passed the Senate Committee on Rules and Adm… Continue Reading
04.03.19
Senator Lankford Welcomes First Sergeant Wyatt as Guest to Joint Session of Congress
WASHINTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today welcomed First Sergeant Larry "Dean" Wyatt (Oklahoma Army National Guard, Ret.) as his guest to the Joint Session of Congress at which North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed both the Senate and House. Lankford met with 1st Sgt. Wyatt when he visited Kosovo in December 2016, where Wyatt served with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. "I was grateful to get to meet 1st Sgt. Wyatt on a congressional… Continue Reading
04.02.19
Senator Lankford Discusses His Nominations Rules Change Proposal on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor in ardent support of his resolution, S. Res. 50, to update the rules of the Senate regarding the number of hours of "post-cloture" debate time for which nominees are eligible. Lankford's resolution passed the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on February 6, 2019, in a vote of 10-9. On March 28, 2019, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed cloture on… Continue Reading
04.02.19
Senators Lankford, Portman, Klobuchar, Durbin Introduce Resolution to Designate April 2019 as “Second Chance Month”
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a resolution to designate April 2019 as "Second Chance Month" and to honor those who work to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent individuals with a criminal record from becoming productive members of society. Last year, the Senate passed the First Step Act, which provides federal inmates programming opportunities to avoid their return to jail upon release; prov… Continue Reading
04.02.19
Senators Lankford, Shaheen, Tillis, Van Hollen on US Suspending F-35 Parts to Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued statements following the announcement from the Pentagon to suspend F-35 equipment to Turkey. Last week, the bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill to prohibit the transfer of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Turkey until the government certifies that Turkey will not accept delivery of Russia's S-400 air defense system. "Four days ago, Senators Shaheen, Till… Continue Reading
