Press Releases
Senator Lankford Supports Federal Criminal Justice Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the passage of the First Step Act by the Senate. The revised bill provides federal inmates programming opportunities to avoid their return to jail upon release; provides enhanced prison security and officer safety; gives non-violent offenders the opportunity to be productive members of society when they finish serving their time; and other reforms. The bill passed the Senate in a vote of 87 to 12. "Congress has finally heard the call… Continue Reading
12.17.18
Senator Lankford Provides Oversight of US Operations in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) provided the following statement today after he returned from a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan (Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kandahar) to conduct oversight of ongoing US operations on the ground. Lankford traveled with the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Richard Burr (R-NC), and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). "This oversight trip was a great opportunity to directly see the ongoing operations in Afghanistan to work… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Senator Lankford Joins Letter to President Trump on Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined 43 Members of Congress to send a letter to President Trump to urge any immediate action necessary to move construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline forward after a federal judge issued a decision that blocked construction of the pipeline in November. "The Keystone XL pipeline will bring nearly 6600 high paying jobs in the near-term and nearly $4 billion in new capital investment next year alone," the letter states. "[O]ne of your first a… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Senator Lankford Supports Peace in Yemen; Opposes Resolution
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the floor. WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today expressed his support for peace in Yemen and opposed passage of a resolution before the Senate to attempt to halt what some have falsely claimed is American involvement in the hostilities in Yemen between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government. Despite Lankford's "no" vote, the resolution ultimately passed in a vote of 56 to 41. Following the vote, the Senate unanimously … Continue Reading
12.12.18
Senator Lankford Opposes Resolution to Roll Back Critical Privacy Protections for Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today opposed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would continue to burden taxpayers and non-profit organizations with meaningless paperwork. "The IRS should not require or keep data they do not need, especially from non-profit organizations," said Lankford. "The Treasury's actions are intended to protect private, personal information to ensure the data security of citizens who are engaged in non-profit work. As Americans, we are righ… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Senator Lankford Honors the Life and Legacy of President George HW Bush
CLICK HERE for the video of the entire floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor the life and legacy of the late President George HW Bush. Lankford attended President Bush's funeral earlier this week at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Transcript The entire nation paused just for a little while this week to remember the 41st President of the United States. To be able to honor his legacy and his life. It's important that w… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Budget Reform
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the fifth episode of Lankford's podcast, "The Breakdown with James Lankford." The episode focuses on the current budget and spending process and the ways it has failed to work properly since the 1970s. Lankford discusses the need for significant budget reform, debt and deficit reduction, discretionary and mandatory spending changes, the work of the Joint Select Committee on Budget … Continue Reading
11.30.18
Senators Lankford, Perdue, Ernst: Political Self-Interest Prevented Changes to The Broken Budget Process
CLICK HERE to watch Senator Lankford's Closing Remarks OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), David Perdue (R-GA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) provided comment on the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform: "The Joint Select Committee was our chance to make meaningful changes to Congress' broken budget process-instead, it turned out to be a lost opportunity. This is completely irresponsible. Throughout the process we had bipartisan discussions of ideas that co… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Senator Lankford Discusses Lack of Legislative Action on Border Security and Immigration Issues at Our Southern Border
CLICK HERE for the video of the entire floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a his 10th floor speech on the Senate floor about border security issues at the US southern border and on the consequences of a lack of real congressional action to solve immigration issues including, the asylum process, the process for keeping families together when they enter the US, border security, and other policies that haven't been updated since the 1990s. In June 2018, L… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Senators Lankford, Coons urge delay of new tax liabilities on nonprofits
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast and the Senate Prayer Breakfast, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, expressing their concerns about the challenges faced by tax-exempt organizations, such as charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and foundations, regarding compliance with new tax liabilities. Enacted in December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act applies the Unrelated Business Income … Continue Reading
11.27.18
Senators Lankford, Perdue, and Ernst Propose Bold Changes To Ensure Congress Funds Government On Time
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), David Perdue (R-GA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are proposing bold changes to the funding process to ensure Congress does its job and fully funds the federal government on time. The Senators are introducing amendments to create specific milestones for passing a budget and appropriations bills that would keep Congress on track. The proposals will be considered in the bicameral, bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform… Continue Reading
11.15.18
Senator Lankford Urges Colleagues to Make Significant Reforms to the Budget and Appropriations Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about his work on the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform and the Committee's discussion and votes to finalize recommendations to Congress for ways to improve the inefficient federal and appropriations process. The Joint Select Committee was formed under the Bipartisan Budget Act which passed in February 2018. Under the law, the Joint Select Committee was required to hold … Continue Reading
11.06.18
Senator Lankford Congratulates Oklahomans Selected for the 400 Years of African-American History Commission
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement congratulating two Oklahomans, Mr. Hannibal Johnson and Dr. Myron Pope, on their selection for the 15-member, 400 Years of African-American History Commission that will help coordinate the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies in 1619. Established through bipartisan legislation on January 8, 2018, the Commission, under the Department of Inter… Continue Reading
10.26.18
Senator Lankford Honored by National Federation of Independent Business as “Guardian of Small Business”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today received the "Guardian of Small Business" award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Edmond, OK, for his strong voting record in support of small business. "With small businesses being responsible for two-thirds of the job growth in America, it is vital their needs and priorities are taken into account," said Lankford. "I'm honored to be recognized by the NFIB as a Guardian of Small Business. During the last two y… Continue Reading
10.25.18
Senator Lankford Requests Treasury Secretary to Secure Sensitive Information
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Treasury Department regarding the policies and procedures the agency has in place to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). The letter comes after a Senior Advisor within the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) was charged for the unauthorized disclosure of SARs and the conspiracy to make unauthorized disclosures of SARs, both of which carry a maximum sentence of five years in … Continue Reading
10.23.18
Senator Lankford and Congressman Russell Tour New Amazon Delivery Facility in OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Steve Russell (R-OK) spent Tuesday morning touring an Amazon delivery station in Oklahoma City. The 60,000 square-foot delivery center is the first of its kind in Oklahoma. "Amazon continues to revolutionize online shopping by striving to ensure its customers receive their purchases on time and as promised, including in Oklahoma," said Lankford. "As internet commerce continues to take shape, Amazon remains at the forefront of mer… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Pastor Brunson’s Release from Turkish Prison
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the announcement that Turkey has released Pastor Andrew Brunson. Pastor Brunson was detained by Turkish officials two years ago on unjust charges of espionage. "I am thankful that Pastor Brunson can finally return home to his family," said Lankford. "This has been a long and difficult journey for the Brunson family. The entire country is grateful they will finally be able to start the next season of their life reun… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Senators Lankford, Tillis, Shaheen, & Graham Issue Joint Statement on Pastor Brunson’s Hearing Tomorrow
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC) Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) issued the following joint statement on Pastor Brunson's hearing date scheduled for tomorrow: "Pastor Andrew Brunson and his family have been through an incredibly trying ordeal for the last two years. Their faith and strength have been an example to us all. It is our greatest hope that the Pastor will finally be allowed to return home to his family in the United States af… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Senator Lankford Questions Top Homeland Security and FBI Officials on Threats to the Homeland
CLICK HERE to view the video of Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Kirstjen Nielsen and FBI Director Christopher Wray during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing entitled "Threats to the Homeland." Lankford's questions focused on protecting the US through supply chain management after a recent news report identified China placed microchips in motherboards to gain acc… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Senator Lankford Supports Bill to Strengthen US Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the passage of America's Water Infrastructure Act, a bill to improve the nation's water infrastructure. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 99 to 1. The bill will head to the president to be signed into law. "This is a commonsense bill that promotes good governance, removes cumbersome red tape, and addresses unnecessary spending while providing updates to the nation's water infrastructure," said Lankford. "Congress continues t… Continue Reading
