Press Releases
Senator Lankford’s Office Releases Biannual Activity Report
WASHINGTON, DC - To mark the half-way point of Senator James Lankford's second year in the United State Senate, Lankford's chief-of-staff Greg Slavonic released a memo detailing the activities and accomplishments of the Senator's service to Oklahoma this year. A PDF of the memo is available here, and the full text is below: TO: ALL RESIDENTS OF OKLAHOMA FROM: GREG SLAVONIC (REAR ADMIRAL NAVY-RETIRED), CHIEF-OF-STAFF, SENATOR LANKFORD SUBJECT: OFF… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Senator Lankford Visits Police in Guthrie
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - While in Guthrie today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) met with the Guthrie Chief-of-Police and members of the Guthrie Police Department to discuss local security challenges and express his appreciation for their work, following the deadly ambush on police in Dallas, Texas. "Today, I was grateful to meet with members of the Guthrie Police Department to thank them, and all law enforcement, for their work," said Lankford. "Oklahomans grieve with the people of Dallas following t… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the shooting death of multiple police officers in Dallas, Texas last night: "I am overcome with incredible grief following the horrific ambush attack on police in Dallas. I pray for the victims, their families and the entire city of Dallas. This is an anxious time for all law enforcement and their families. I also pray for national unity and peace. All Americans must come together right now and speak out… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Vote To Establish Uniform National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) tonight voted for bipartisan legislation (S. 764) to establish a mandatory, uniform national standard of disclosure for bioengineered or genetically-modified (GMO) food. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 63 to 30, and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. "Oklahoma produces the food and fiber that feeds and clothes the world," said Lankford. "Special interest groups have repeatedly attacked … Continue Reading
07.07.16
Senator Lankford, Senators Push to Immediately Suspend Security Clearances of Secretary Hillary Clinton and Aides
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and a group of senators today requested that the Department of State immediately suspend the security clearances of Secretary Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, Cheryl Mills, Jake Sullivan, and other former State Department employees for security violations. In a letter from Lankford and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), David Perdue (R-GA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), James Risch (R-ID), Ron Johnson… Continue Reading
07.06.16
Senator Lankford Votes To End Sanctuary Cities
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) voted today to end sanctuary city policies and released the following statement on the Senate's failure to pass the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (S.3100) and Kate's Law (S.2193): "Under the Obama administration, the rule of law has unfortunately become more subjective. We need to decide, as a nation, whether we are going to honor and enforce our existing laws or not. It is outrageous that it's been a year since Kate Steinle was killed on Jul… Continue Reading
07.01.16
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
