Press Releases
Midwest City Fire Department Awarded SAFER Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-04) released statements following the announcement that the Midwest City Fire Department will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). SAFER grants are distributed to local fire departments across the country to ensure they are staffed at all times and meet industry-minimum standards. This grant funding … Continue Reading
10.01.19
Oklahoma Delegation Urges Passage of USMCA
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) joined by Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK), Tom Cole (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Kevin Hern (R-OK) today released statements of support on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's announcement of the three-country trade agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "We have seen a year of unnecessary delay since President Trump first announced the USMCA, as our nation waits for Speake… Continue Reading
09.30.19
Senator Lankford Supports State Order on Contraband Cell Phones
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his support for Governor Kevin Stitt's (R-OK) state executive order following the use of contraband cell phones following the recent outbreak of prison riots that left one inmate dead and several injured. Lankford continues to push for a change in federal law that will allow states to use jamming technology to block internal signals and prevent the use of contraband cell phones in prisons. "I commend Governor S… Continue Reading
09.27.19
Senate Confirms Oklahoman to be US Marshal
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) praised the confirmation Kerry Pettingill by the Senate to serve as the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. "I am pleased to see the swift confirmation of Kerry Pettingill to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma," said Lankford. "Kerry has formerly served Oklahoma as Director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, the nation through his work with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task F… Continue Reading
09.27.19
Lankford Letter - September 27
CLICK HERE for the September 27, 2019, Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Reducing Refugee Cap
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement on plans from the Administration to lower the refugee cap for FY 2020 from 30,000 to 18,000: "I'm disappointed to see that the Administration has once again decided to decrease the number of refugees we allow into our country. Over the last few months, the Department of Homeland Security implemented multiple policies that have resulted in a decrease in migrants at the US Southern Border. While I appreciate the Administration's fo… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Urges Senate to Pass Government Shutdown Prevention Act
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today again rose on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass his bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Lankford introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act earlier this year with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and the bill passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) in June. HSGAC Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) also recently penned an op-ed in the Wall Street J… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Supports Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills to fund Interior, Environment, & related agencies; the Commerce, Justice, Science, & related agencies, Homeland Security; State, Foreign Operations, & related programs; and the Legislative Branch in the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed the Committee with bipartisan support and now head to the Senate floor for full consideration. "Today the Senate Appropr… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Supports Legislation to Address Injustice within American Opportunity Tax Credit
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) announced new bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address a systematic injustice within the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The AOTC is the primary tax credit available to students seeking a higher education; however, students with a prior felony drug conviction are permanently ineligible fr… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Week of September 30 – October 4
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following public events for the state work period during the week of September 30 - October 4: WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Feeding across the Aisle Event in TulsaWHEN: Monday, September 30, 1:30 pm CTWHERE: Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, 1304 N Kenosha Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106 WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Americans for Prosperity LuncheonWHEN: … Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US-Japan Trade Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement on the announcement of a trade agreement with Japan: "The announcement on a trade agreement between the US and Japan is good news for Oklahoma and our state's agriculture community," said Lankford. "Further opening up the Japanese market for US exports has been a priority of mine since joining the Senate Finance Committee, and I commend the Trump Administration for completing this agreement that will see more of Oklahoma's beef a… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Commitment to Prevent Social Security Disability Fraud
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the news from the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to expand the anti-fraud initiative, the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program. "Social Security Disability Insurance is a program put in place to protect Americans who become disabled before retirement," said Lankford. "Sadly, a program that was made to help those in need is being taken advantage of by individuals who do not need… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Attorney to Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Mrs. Jodi Dishman, an Edmond attorney, at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dishman was nominated by President Trump on August 14, 2019, to serve as Judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Dishman currently serves as an attorney at McAfee & Taft law firm in Oklahoma City and is President of the Oklahoma City chapter … Continue Reading
09.24.19
Lowering drug prices with bipartisan, market-based proposals
by Senator James Lankford
Most Americans are affected in some way by rising prescription drug and healthcare prices. Whether you're personally impacted or hear about the effects of rising costs on a family member or friend, you know things aren't getting better. The Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, started working this year on a series of hearings to better understand the complexity of drug pricing, especially in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. We've heard from pharmaceutical experts, federal r… Continue Reading
09.21.19
Lowering Drug Prices with Bipartisan, Market-based Proposals
by Senator James Lankford
Most Americans are affected in some way by rising prescription drug and healthcare prices. Whether you're personally impacted or hear about the effects of rising costs on a family member or friend, you know things aren't getting better. The Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, started working this year on a series of hearings to better understand the complexity of drug pricing, especially in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. We've heard from pharmaceutical experts, federal r… Continue Reading
09.20.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Combatting Rising Costs on RX Drugs
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. During the episode, Lankford discusses the rising cost of prescription drugs, Medicare Part D, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), generic tiering, and surprise billing. Lankford introduced the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Finance Committee, and… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Senator Lankford Votes to Advance Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation-Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture, and Financial Services & General Government funding bills in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed out of the Committee with bipartisan support and now await further consideration on the Senate floor. "Today the Appropriations Committee continued to advance bills to fund several important agencies with the federal government… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Oklahoma Senators Applaud Committee Advancement of Oklahoman Kerry Pettingill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee advancement of Kerry Pettingill to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Pettingill's nomination was reported favorably by voice vote and will now move to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "I am glad to see Kerry Pettingill's nomination pass out of the Judiciary Committee today, and I anticipate his swift confirmation by the full Senate," sai… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senator Lankford Highlights Importance of US Constitution on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today in reverence of our most enduring governing document, the US Constitution, following Constitution Day. Lankford discussed the power and uniqueness of our system of government and how vital our Constitution is to maintaining our national identity and rule of law, protecting the rights we hold dear, and ensuring our nation does not fall to tyranny. Transcript September 17, … Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan Continue to Push Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today highlighted the need for Congress to pass their bipartisan legislation to end government shutdowns following the release of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subcommittee report on how the last three government shutdowns have negatively impacted everything from the economy to national security. "Shutting down the government is an ineffective and costly way to fail to govern," said … Continue Reading
