Press Releases
Senator Lankford Advocates for Life, Religious Freedom on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today lead a colloquy on the Senate floor along with Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) to advocate for pro-life legislation and the pro-life grassroots community a day before the 45th annual March for Life. Lankford serves as the co-chairman of the Values Action Team (VAT) and has long advocated to protect life and to protect religious freedom. Lankford will attend … Continue Reading
01.18.18
Senator Lankford Applauds New HHS Civil Rights Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the creation of the new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Conscience and Religious Freedom Division is being established to more vigorously and effectively enforce existing laws protecting the rights of conscience and religious freedom. This Office for Civil Rights does not create new law, but rather enfor… Continue Reading
01.17.18
Senator Lankford Promotes Martin Luther King’s Call For Respectful Dialogue
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his call for respectful political dialogue, and racial unity in America. Lankford gave a similar speech at the Mid-America Christian University last Friday. This year marks the 50th anniversary of King's tragic death. Racial unity has been a priority for Lankford during his time in Congress. ###… Continue Reading
01.11.18
Senator Lankford Pushes to Reform Senate Rules to Stop Gridlock
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for Senate rules reform to end gridlock and streamline the executive confirmation process. In April 2017, Lankford proposed to reinstate a rule from 2013 in order to reduce Senate post-cloture debate time. This will allow the Senate more time to consider legislation. In December, Lankford testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on Senate Resolution … Continue Reading
01.11.18
Senator Lankford to Speak at Mid-American Christian University
WASHINGTON, DC - On Friday, January 12, 2018, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will deliver remarks to students, faculty, and staff at Mid-American Christian University (MACU) during Chapel. Lankford's remarks will focus on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, his connection to Oklahoma, and King's call for positive race relations in America. This year marks the 50th anniversary of King's tragic death. Racial unity has been a priority for Lankford during his time in Congress. WHAT: Senator Lankf… Continue Reading
01.08.18
Senator Lankford Pushes for DACA Fix and Improved Border Security on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tills (R-NC), and Tom Cotton (R-AR) on the Senate floor to advocate for immigration reform that improves border security and fixes the DACA program. Lankford has offered a number of solutions for DACA and border security. Last year, he introduced the SUCCEED Act and the SECURE Act. Lankford will join a group of Senators to discuss this at the White House tomorrow. Last… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Senator Lankford Statement on State Department ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ Designations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made a statement on the State Department's release of their designation of 'Countries of Particular Concern' (CPC). The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the annual designation of 'countries of particular concern,' which are nations that have 'engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom': "This year's CPC designations are a stark reminder that many people in our world do not enjoy basic hum… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Senators Lankford & Tillis Joint Statement on White House Meeting on DACA, Immigration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-authors of the SUCCEED Act, issued the following joint statement on their meeting today with President Trump and Senate Republicans on solutions for DACA and border security: "Today's meeting between the President and Senate Republicans was productive, and we are all on the same page when it comes to securing our borders once and for all and providing long-term certainty for DACA youth. Over the course of the last sever… Continue Reading
01.02.18
Senator Lankford Applauds FEMA For Including Houses of Worship in Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) decision to allow houses of worship to apply for aid relating to disasters declared after Aug. 23, 2017. Specifically, FEMA today revised their Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide to include that houses of worship will no longer be excluded from eligibility for FEMA aid on the basis of the religious character or primarily religious use of the facility. With this change, FEMA a… Continue Reading
01.02.18
Senator Lankford’s Office Releases 2017 Activity Report
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford today released a memo detailing the activities and accomplishments of the Senator's service to Oklahoma in 2017. 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: OFFICE OF SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT DATE: JANUARY 2, 20… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Senator Lankford Again Pushes Gridlock Reform on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Days after testifying before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration about his gridlock reform proposal, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate, Thursday, about the issue. Lankford has advocated a series of Senate rule changes to streamline the executive confirmation process, to address the numerous federal agency vacancies, and also allow the Senate to debate and vote on more legislation. The Senate … Continue Reading
12.21.17
Senators Lankford, Klobuchar, Harris, Collins, Heinrich and Graham Introduce Election Security Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE D.J. Jordan (Lankford): 202-228-1477 Kirsten Hartman (Klobuchar): 202-228-6317 Tyrone Gayle (Harris): 202-897-6212 Annie Clark (Collins): 202-224-2523 Whitney Potter (Heinrich): 202-228-1578 Taylor Reidy (Graham): 202-224-5972 WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with co-sponsor Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), today introduced the Secure Elections Act,… Continue Reading
12.20.17
President Signs Enhancing Veterans Care Act Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) praised the president for signing into law the Enhancing Veterans Care Act (S.1266) today. Sen. Inhofe, Sen. Lankford and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), authored this legislation to provide greater accountability and allow independent oversight at Veterans Affairs facilities. "Unfortunately, the VA hasn't always met the standard of healthcare and patient care that our veterans deserve," said Lankford. "Most of the administra… Continue Reading
12.20.17
Senator Lankford: Tax Reform Is One Step Closer To Becoming Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) tonight made the following statement after voting in favor of the House and Senate conference agreement of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: "After thirty years, we finally have a tax reform bill that's one stop away from being signed into law by the President. Over the past decade, economic growth has stalled and for the first time since World War II, America has grown around 2 percent or less. For the past year, we have worked to simplify the tax code … Continue Reading
12.19.17
Senator Lankford Testifies on Gridlock Reform Before Senate Rules Committee
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on Senate Resolution 355, which is a resolution introduced by Lankford to address Senate gridlock. Lankford has advocated keeping the legislative filibuster but changing the rules that produce or result in a delay in the Senate calendar for presidential nominations. In April 2017, Lankford proposed to reinstate a rule from 2013 in order to reduce S… Continue Reading
12.19.17
Senators Lankford and Klobuchar Urge Department of Homeland Security to Prioritize Election Cybersecurity
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have written the new Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen to urge the Department to prioritize election cybersecurity. Intelligence reports make it clear that Russia hacked presidential campaign accounts, launched cyberattacks against at least 21 state election systems, attacked a US voting systems software company, and illegally obtained emails from more than 100 local election officials. In today's letter, Klobuc… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Judge Charles Goodwin at Nomination Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Oklahoma Judge Charles Goodwin at his nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Goodwin is nominated to serve on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Goodwin currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Oklahoma. Goodwin presided over approximately 500 initial proceedings in felony cases, issued approximately 350 opinions… Continue Reading
12.07.17
Senator Lankford Touts Benefits of the Senate Tax Reform Bill
CLICK HERE to watch the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to tout the benefits of the tax bill that passed the Senate on December 2. Lankford used the speech to clear up misinformation about the bill, and to explain how the bill would help middle class Oklahomans. This speech comes a day after Lankford penned an op-ed on the same topic. Excerpts: Mr. President, we're in the middle of a have very protracted conversation … Continue Reading
12.06.17
Senator Lankford Supports President’s Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israeli Capital
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the President's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, an action that Congress has supported for decades on a strong bipartisan basis: "After more than two decades of bipartisan requests from Congress, I applaud the President's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the start of a long process to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. The Government of Israel officially resides in Jerusalem; ignoring the obvi… Continue Reading
12.06.17
Senator Lankford Chief of Staff Nominated Assistant Secretary of the Navy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Slavonic is a native Oklahoman and currently serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of Senator Lankford. "Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic is the model of public service. He has dutifully served our nation in the Navy, and he has served the people of Oklahoma as my Chief of Staff. He has been nomin… Continue Reading
