Press Releases
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
10.07.18
Senator Lankford Urges Turkey to Release Dr. Brunson on Second Anniversary of Imprisonment
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of an American pastor, Dr. Andrew Brunson, unjust imprisonment by the Turkish government: "Today is a solemn reminder that it has been two full years that a NATO-ally is unjustly holding a US citizen, Dr. Andrew Brunson," said Lankford. "President Trump and Vice President Pence have been staunch advocates for releasing Dr. Brunson, and I urge them to impose additional sanctions and … Continue Reading
10.06.18
Senator Lankford Supports Judge Kavanaugh to be Supreme Court Justice
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on his support for Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The nomination of Judge Kavanaugh passed the Senate by a vote of 50-48. "I support Judge Kavanaugh to be the next Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court," said Lankford. "Judge Kavanaugh is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. I made it my priority to read his judicial opinions, understand his legal perspe… Continue Reading
10.05.18
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Judge Brett Kavanaugh
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the fourth episode of Lankford's podcast called "The Breakdown with James Lankford." The fourth episode focuses on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination process to be Associate Justice to the US Supreme Court. During the episode, Lankford discusses the Senate's role in regards to Supreme Court nominees, the completed FBI investigation, his support for Judge Kavanaugh, and what our nat… Continue Reading
10.05.18
Senator Lankford Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Denounce China’s Human Rights Abuses
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and a bipartisan group of 17 Senators condemn the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of religious minorities and actions to limit the free expression and practice of faith in the People's Republic of China. Joining Lankford in this effort are Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA)… Continue Reading
