Press Releases
Lankford Wants to Prohibit All Spending on Critical Race Theory Training in the Military
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) requested that the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee prohibit funding for training on critical race theory for US servicemembers in its Fiscal Year 2022 bill. Lankford noted in his letter to the Subcommittee chairman that he has heard from several Oklahomans about concerns that service members are being taught critical race theory and are targeted for personal beliefs. Lankford has long worked to protect service members' rights. "In the last … Continue Reading
07.07.21
Lankford, Colleagues Send Letter to DOJ Seeking Answers About Open Border Policies
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Braun (R-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Tom Cotton (R-AR) to send a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland seeking answers over actions taken by the Biden Administration and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open our borders and encourage illegal immigration in the midst of an ongoing crisis at the southern border. Lankford is the lead Repub… Continue Reading
07.01.21
Lankford, Blackburn Work to End Taxpayer Support for Abortion
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), James Inhofe (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tim Scott (R-SC) reintroduced the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act to help end taxpayer support for the abortion industry. "It should not be controversial that Americans should not be forced to pay for abortio… Continue Reading
07.01.21
Lankford, Rubio Push Ambassador Tai to Restart Trade Talks with Taiwan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Warner (D-VA) to send a letter to the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, to highlight the importance of reconvening trade agreement talks with Taiwan. "We respectfully request that you prioritize these talks and take steps to begin laying the groundwork for negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA), or other preliminary agreement, with Taiwan," the senators wrote. "Taiwan is the te… Continue Reading
06.25.21
Lankford Expands E-Verify for Businesses Contracting with Federal Government
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), lead Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, introduced a bill to expand the E-Verify system for employers who contract with the federal government to efficiently determine a worker's legal status to work in the US. "Not knowing whether someone working under a federal contract is legally present and authorized to work in the US is a national securit… Continue Reading
06.24.21
Lankford Asks Americans to Continue to Build on Our Foundation of Freedom Ahead of the Fourth of July
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, delivered a patriotic account of the brave Americans who founded our nation, set up our national values, and continued to reinforce the need for all Americans to work to keep us free. Lankford asked his fellow senators, Oklahomans, and Americans around the nation to contemplate how we can serve our nation how we can pass on the freedom we enjoy-for which … Continue Reading
06.23.21
Lankford Criticizes Biden’s Attempt to Prevent Law Abiding Oklahomans' Right to Bear Arms
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today responded to President Biden's announcement to implement a comprehensive strategy on gun violence, which doesn't address violence, but seeks to stop the purchase of firearms. "President Biden's response to an increase in violence is to criminalize law-abiding citizens. The surge in violent crimes is not due to Oklahomans exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms; it's due to progressive policies that defund police across … Continue Reading
06.22.21
Lankford Opposes Democrats’ Federal Election Takeover Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) opposed S. 1, "For the People Act," today. Lankford has been outspoken since the bill was introduced in January on the negative consequences it would have on Oklahoma's free and fair elections. The motion to debate the bill failed by a vote of 50-50. "Our election system should provide every American with the confidence that their vote is counted and encourage every American to vote," said Lankford. "Americans support voter ID laws. They do not w… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Lankford Works to Improves Transparency for Adoption and Foster Care
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) yesterday joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) to introduce the National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act of 2021, which would increase the uniformity and transparency of home studies for families adopting children. "Foster care and adoption advocates remain focused on ensuring the safety and stability of the children they serve as they work to connect children with fami… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Lankford Opposes Nominee to Lead Biden Administration’s HR for Federal Government
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose the nomination of Ms. Kiran Ahuja to lead the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Lankford previously voted to oppose her nomination in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "I do not believe the head of HR of the federal government should be so outspokenly in favor of abortion and pushing the need for critical race theory training, which Oklahoma recently banned in law," said Lankford. "OPM has… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Lankford Pushes Back on Bid to Make DC a State, Addresses Religious Freedom Issues during COVID Pandemic
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today, during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, questioned a panel of witnesses on the constitutionality of making DC the 51st state. Lankford discussed the late Oklahoma Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn's very brief remarks at the previous hearing to discuss the idea of Washington, DC, becoming a separate state. Lankford addressed his concerns with religious liberty in … Continue Reading
06.21.21
Lankford, Colleagues Urge Biden to Advocate on Behalf of Two-Year Old Girl’s Life
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Braun (R-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) to send a letter to President Biden urging him to advocate to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on behalf of Alta Fixsler, a two-year-old girl who is currently on life support in the United Kingdom where a British High Court has ruled to allow the hos… Continue Reading
06.21.21
Lankford Works to Improves Transparency for Adoption and Foster Care
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) yesterday joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) to introduce the National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act of 2021, which would increase the uniformity and transparency of home studies for families adopting children. "Foster care and adoption advocates remain focused on ensuring the safety and stability of the children they serve as they work to connect children with fami… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Lankford Applauds Unanimous Supreme Court Ruling, as Senate Prepares to Take Up Equality Act
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to applaud the Supreme Court's unanimous decision today in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia and to discuss the Equality Act and S.1, which Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the Senate plans to take up next week. Earlier today, Lankford participated in a press conference to discuss his concerns with and opposition to S.1. In March, Lankford testified during a Senate… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Lankford Questions Panel on Securing Southern Border
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a hearing of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, on which Lankford serves as the lead Republican, entitled, "Improving Security, Trade, and Travel at Land Ports of Entry at the Southwest Border." Lankford's questions focused on improving federal law enforcement operations at our ports of entry… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Lankford Pushes for Health Care Access for Oklahoma Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Director of the Defense Health Agency, Lieutenant General Ronald Place, following concerns raised to his office by Oklahoman veterans that TRICARE rules do not allow veterans to submit electronic forms and documentation, particularly for Express Scripts, despite being able to submit them electronically in other areas of health care. Lankford wrote in his letter, "TRICARE rules require beneficiaries to submit relevant form… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Lankford, Inhofe, Lucas, Cole Applaud OU Selection as Host of New Severe Weather Research Institute
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK-03) and Tom Cole (R-OK-04) applauded the announcement the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made selecting the University of Oklahoma to host NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CISHIWRO). The mission of this cooperative institute is to promote collaborative research with NOAA on research to improve the understandin… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Lankford Simplifies Process for Oklahoma Gun Owners to Access Hearing Protection
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) to lead a group of 13 senators to introduce the Hearing Protection Act (HPA), which would reclassify firearm sound suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm. The measure benefits recreational gun users and provides them better access to hearing protection equipment. Original co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), … Continue Reading
06.15.21
Lankford, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Bolster Local, Federal Coordination for Missing Soldiers
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce the Servicemember Safety and Security Act, a bipartisan bill which would require military installations to review and improve policies and procedures for reporting missing servicemembers and to partner with local and federal law enforcement to improve information sharing. "Each day our men and women in uniform make sacrifices to serve our nation," said Lankford. "Department policies and procedu… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Lankford Disappointed in GAO Decision to Freeze Border Wall Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement in response to the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) review of President Biden's executive action to withhold funding to complete construction of the fencing system at the US southern border: "If President Biden spent half as much time securing our border as he spends leaving it open, he would not have an illegal immigration crisis in America right now. When the President works to leave gates and fences unfini… Continue Reading
