Press Releases
Senator Lankford Supports Efforts By the Administration to Find Loving Homes for Foster, Adoptive Children
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) supports efforts by the Trump Administration to reverse a change in regulation made at the end of the Obama Administration to expand Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which provides funding for foster care and adoption, in a way that resulted in some faith-based Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) having to choose between serving vulnerable children and families or operating in accordance with their religious beliefs. The Department of Health and … Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senator Lankford Statement on House Impeachment Resolution
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the House of Representatives vote on a resolution to outline impeachment proceedings. "Today's purely partisan vote in the House to formally outline the impeachment probe is set solely by the House Democrats. The hearings that have been held behind closed doors will continue indefinitely without allowing the President's legal team to participate or allow Republicans to call witnesses until Democrats choose … Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan, Inhofe, Rubio Introduce Small Business ‘Mulligan’ Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) today announced the introduction of their Harmless Error Lesser Penalty (HELP) for Small Businesses Act (S. 2757). This simple, straight-forward, bipartisan good government bill would waive fines for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses, excluding fines for violations that endanger the public health or s… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senator Lankford Supports First Funding Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported Senate passage of the first appropriations package considered by the full Senate. The appropriations bill provided Fiscal Year 2020 funding for agencies supported by the following appropriations bills: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Rela… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Committee Passage of Oklahoman to be District Court Judge
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee's advancement of Mrs. Jodi Dishman to serve as district court judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. Dishman's nomination will now move to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "Jodi Dishman is a reputable, well-qualified attorney, and I am confident she will continue to serve with excellence in her new capacity on the federal bench as a district court judge for the Weste… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Senators Lankford, Peters, Johnson, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Local Governments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen local government cybersecurity defenses by switching to the .gov domain for websites and email addresses. The DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2019 directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide resources and assistance to local governments wanting to adopt .gov web addresses. Federal and state government agencies commo… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Introduce Legislation To Prohibit Discrimination of Babies with Down Syndrome
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to introduce the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, which would prohibit abortion based on an unborn child having Down syndrome. Congressman Ron Estes (KS-04) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Sponsors of the bill include Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Tom Cotton (R-AR) Rick Scott (R-FL), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Braun (R-IN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Senator Lankford Opposes Resolution to Reverse State Flexibility for Obamacare
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate-Democrat-backed Resolution of Disapproval that would have reversed Trump Administration policy guidelines concerning section 1332 State Innovation Waivers for certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plan requirements. Oklahoma is not one of the states seeking a section 1332 waiver. However, the 13 states that received waivers saw their health insurance premium costs decrease by anywhere from six to 30 percent. The gui… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Judge to Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. CLICK HERE to view more photos from the introduction. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Judge Bernard M. Jones, a United States magistrate judge, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Jones was nominated by President Trump on October 3, 2019, to serve as judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Jones has served as a magistrate judge for the Western Distri… Continue Reading
10.29.19
Senator Lankford Calls on Congress to Urgently Pass USMCA
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of the urgent need for Congress to pass the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to open up North American free trade for our nation and for Oklahoma. Lankford serves on the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over trade. In June, Lankford questioned US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the benefits of the USMCA over the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). On October 1, members… Continue Reading
10.29.19
Senators Lankford, Scott, Johnson Support Proactive Tip-Sharing Process to Ensure FBI Works with Local Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the Threat Information Protocol for Sharing (TIPS) Act to hold the FBI accountable for its failures to address critical deficiencies in its handling of actionable intelligence on the perpetrators of mass violence. This legislation is supported by Stand with Parkland, an organization founded by the family members of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. "The FBI and o… Continue Reading
10.28.19
Senator Lankford Urges Support for Indian Reservation Food Delivery Program to Ensure Access for Those Who Need it Most
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded passage of his bipartisan amendment to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) title of H.R. 3055, an appropriations package that also includes the Transportation-Housing, Commerce, Justice, Science and Interior Appropriations bills. The amendment, also spearheaded by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would require USDA to conduct a study on access challenges for its Fo… Continue Reading
10.28.19
Senator Lankford Remembers Chief Gregory Pyle
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of former Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle: "Chief Pyle served as the leader of the Choctaws for many years with dignity and commitment to his tribe and our state. He dedicated his career to growing tribal jobs and sharing the culture of the Choctaws with the world. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Pat, his children, and his grandchildren as they mourn his loss. He will be missed by many." … Continue Reading
10.27.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US Forces Operation Targeting ISIS Leader
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on US Forces successful operation in Syria involving ISIS leader Ab Bakr al-Baghdadi: "The United States Special Forces and US Intelligence Services put their lives on the line for the people of our nation every day; today is another reminder that their commitment brings dramatically greater security to around the globe. ISIS publicly demonstrated their cruelty for years, so the demise of the ISIS cult of d… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senator Lankford Recognizes International Religious Freedom Day
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement to recognize International Religious Freedom Day on Sunday, October 27, 2019: "This year marks the 21st anniversary of signing the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act of 1998. On this day, we remember and pray for those who are oppressed for their faith around the globe. With more than 80 percent of the world's population living where religious freedom is threatened or denied, the United States must remain an… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Decision to Withdrawal Troops from Syria
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. Lankford discusses the history of the United States' relationship with the Kurdish people, President Trump's decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, and the relationship between Turkey and the Kurds. Earlier this month, Lankford spoke on the Senate Floor to discuss the current situation, specifically… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Calls for Transparent Impeachment Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today cosponsored a Senate resolution to condemn the House of Representatives' closed-door impeachment inquiry process. The resolution was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "If House Democrats are as serious about impeachment as they're acting, they should apply an equal level of gravity to the process they think is so important," said Lankford. "Speaker Pe… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Pushes for Simple Online Rulemaking Process
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today held a joint hearing with the HSGAC Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) entitled "Review of E-Rulemaking Comment System." The hearing follows PSI issuing a bipartisan report on the abuse of online regulatory comment systems. Lankford supports efforts to make the online comment system more user-f… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Rejects Democrat Resolution to Subsidize Wealthy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo a $10,000 cap on state and local taxes (SALT) deduction. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks removing a cap on the SALT deduction put in place by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. "Repealing the state and local taxes cap will force taxpayers living in middle America to subsidize those living in high tax states and localities," said Lank… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Recognizes School Choice Anniversary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today recognized the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program through the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which was introduced in 2011 when Lankford served in the US House of Representatives. Because Congress has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and its funding allocations, the DC Opportunity Scholarships provided Congress a way to invest in school choice and utilize those re… Continue Reading
