Press Releases
The Edmond Sun: Government hides facts from citizens; Lankford fights back
by James Coburn
U.S. Sen. James Lankford pushed for better information for taxpayers when he was in Congress. Now the Edmond Republican is fighting for Americans right to know about detailed data for agency programs. Lankford introduced the Taxpayers Right to Know Act in the Senate along with a group of bipartisan senators. There remains a lack of transparency regarding the overlapping roles of federal agencies in duplicating services, Lankford said. Agencies would have to provide detailed information and per… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Senator Lankford Receives Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC- The powerful Senate Committee on Appropriations today named Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to five Subcommittees: Energy and Water Development; Commerce, Justice, Science; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, HHS, Education; and State, Foreign Operations. "Membership on these Subcommittees will give Oklahoma a voice on important matters that span a wide area of federal policy," said Lankford. "I'm ready to get to work on federal waste and spending limitations through… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Federal Times: Bill requires agencies to provide detailed program data
by Andy Medici
Agencies would have to provide detailed information and performance data for each of its programs, under legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators Jan. 28. The Taxpayers Right to Know Act would require OMB to post detailed financial data for each program as well as the number of employees and contractors who administer each program. OMB would also have to post links to the latest performance reviews and metrics for the program. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who introduced the bi… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement in support of Senate passage of the Keystone XL pipeline by a 62-36 vote: "The Keystone XL pipeline infrastructure project would infuse billions of dollars into our economy and it would support thousands of good-paying American jobs, all in an environmentally responsible way. The delay of this project has been far too long. Building a pipeline should not take an act of Congress. The Administration has blocked the pip… Continue Reading
01.28.15
Senator Lankford Introduces Taxpayers Right To Know Act
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Taxpayers Right To Know Act in the U.S. Senate, a bill that would provide the American people with a better understanding of how their tax dollars are spent. This bipartisan bill shines a light on the details, costs, and performance metrics of every federal program. As a U.S. Representative, Lankford introduced the bipartisan bill last Congress. It passed the House last February (H.R. 1423) by voice vote, and was cleared by the … Continue Reading
01.27.15
Senator Lankford, Rep. Mullin Introduce Bill to Remove Economic Barriers for Local Tribe
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) today introduced legislation in the Senate and House to remove an outdated charter that limits business and economic development opportunities for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. "Outdated laws and regulations hold communities back all around Oklahoma," said Lankford. "This federal corporate charter is unused by the Tribe, and yet its existence raises concerns for prospective business partners due to restrictive condit… Continue Reading
01.26.15
The Christian Post: Sen. James Lankford Named New Co-Chair of Congressional Prayer Caucus; Brings 'Staunch Commitment' to Protect Religious Liberties
by Samuel Smith
Oklahoma's newly elected Republican Senator, James Lankford, was appointed the new co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, the caucus' co-chair and founding member, Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., announced on Thursday. The caucus, which works to protect individuals' rights to religious freedoms, including the right to freely pray, consists of a bipartisan group of 80 Congress members. The 46-year-old Lankford, who joined the caucus when he first won election as a representative in 2010, beco… Continue Reading
01.26.15
Tulsa World: Send Uncle Sam to the principal's office, but keep him out of the classroom
by World's Editorial Writers
U.S. Sen. James Lankford is co-sponsoring a proposal to halt federal mandates for state academic standards on testing. The Local Leadership in Education Act would amend the federal No Child Left Behind law to prohibit it from providing any direction or control over academic standards or curriculum, incentivizing the adoption of certain standards, or making financial support conditional for standards, curriculum or student test administration. Additionally, the legislation calls for a ban on req… Continue Reading
01.26.15
Senator Lankford Named Subcommittee Chairman
WASHINGTON, DC- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today named Senator James Lankford (R-OK) the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced the chairmen appointment of the three subcommittees during a markup of the Committee's rules today. "I'm honored to lead this important Senate Subcommittee," said Lankford. "We will work hard to foster effective federal agency operations and shine a … Continue Reading
01.26.15
Senator Lankford Statement on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.: "In our Declaration of Independence, the Founders of this great nation declared that everyone is endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including and especially life. One of our generation's greatest tragedies is that in the United States of America, we allow elective killing of our children. We must… Continue Reading
01.26.15
Senators Lankford and Fischer Introduce Bill to Bring Transparency to Unfunded Mandates
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced The Unfunded Mandate Information and Transparency Act (S. 189) yesterday. Their legislation would close loopholes that allow federal agencies to impose mandates on state and local governments, as well as the private sector, without first providing a transparent accounting of their costs. "While the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 has brought more accountability and transparency on the economic impacts … Continue Reading
01.26.15
Senator Lankford Named Co-Chairman of Congressional Prayer Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC- Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, today named Senator James Lankford (R-OK) co-chairman of the Prayer Caucus. The Caucus works to protect the fundamental human right of religious freedom and guards the right of individuals to pray and practice their faith freely. This announcement comes the day before Religious Freedom Day, a time to recognize the important role of religious freedom in our nation's founding. Each President h… Continue Reading
01.19.15
Senator Lankford Statement on the President’s State-of-the-Union Speech
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement in response to the President's State-of-the-Union speech: "Tonight's State-of-the-Union address took a celebratory tone that simply isn't consistent with what is happening across the nation. I am thankful that some economic data points are improving, but many in our nation are frustrated. I believe, as most Oklahomans do, that our nation can and must do much better. We must not become complacent to stagnant hourly w… Continue Reading
01.15.15
Senator Lankford in Fox News: Religious Freedom Day 2015: What our Founders understood about freedom of faith
by Senator James Lankford
Today is Religious Freedom Day, a celebration of one of the powerful and unique freedoms within our nation's founding and fabric. In 1992, the House and Senate joined together to pass a resolution designating January 16th as Religious Freedom Day. This day is based on the anniversary of the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, originally authored by Thomas Jefferson. Congress formally recognized that the "Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom inspired and shaped the gu… Continue Reading
01.14.15
Senator Lankford Announces Senate Staff
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the appointments for his staff in the United States Senate: "I'm excited about the team we have assembled on behalf of the people of our state," said Lankford. "The Senate has some serious challenges ahead and this team will help us find effective solutions on behalf of all Oklahomans." Washington DC Staff: Greg Slavonic, Chief-of-staff Michelle Altman, Legislative Director D.J. Jordan, Communications Director Linda Good, Administr… Continue Reading
01.09.15
Senator Lankford Co-Sponsors Local Control of Education Bill
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today co-sponsored the "Local Leadership in Education Act," a bill that would protect states and local school districts from increased federal intrusion. This is Lankford's first legislation co-sponsorship as a United States Senator. "It is time for a major re-write of No Child Left Behind and the return of state innovation in education. Ever-expanding national education mandates are a prime example of a Washington-knows-best philosophy that does … Continue Reading
01.07.15
Tulsa World: James Lankford joins a long, short list of Oklahoma senators
by Randy Krehbiel
U.S. Sen. James Lankford is not a native Oklahoman, but he knows the history of the Senate seat he assumed on Tuesday. Lankford became only the 18th person - all men - to serve in the U.S. Senate from Oklahoma and only the eighth to hold what is officially Seat No. 1 in the state's delegation. "I understand the significance of being one of 18 senators in Oklahoma history," he said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. Some of the most important and colorful figures in state history have… Continue Reading
01.06.15
James Lankford Sworn In As United States Senator
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today was officially sworn in as the 18th Senator from the State of Oklahoma and released the following statement: "I am extremely honored and humbled to serve the people of Oklahoma as their 18th United States Senator," said Lankford. "Although today is a day of celebration for the new Congress, we have a lot of work ahead to get our nation headed in the right direction. Our federal debt continues to burden our economy and our children's future. Ou… Continue Reading
12.22.14
James Lankford Announces Senior Staff For Senate Office
WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman James Lankford today announced the appointment of senior staff to his Senate office: Greg Slavonic as Chief-of-Staff, Michelle Altman as Legislative Director, D.J. Jordan as Communications Director, Linda Good as Administrative Director, and Mona Taylor as State Director. "These staff hires will help me advance conservative ideas in the Senate, on behalf of the Oklahomans who sent me here," said Lankford. "We will assemble a staff that is committed to the values that… Continue Reading
12.15.14
James Lankford Announces Senate Committee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator-elect James Lankford today announced his appointment to four Committees for the upcoming 114th Congress in the U.S. Senate: the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Indian Affairs. "I am honored to bring our Oklahoma values of common sense, integrity and hard work to these important Senate Committees," said Lankford. "These key assignments will enable me to pro… Continue Reading
