Press Releases
Senator Lankford Speaks at HBCU Conference, Meets with Langston University President in DC
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today addressed about 60 presidents and chancellors of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who were in Washington, DC to participate in a day-long higher education policy conference at the US Library of Congress. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) hosted the event, and other speakers included Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Se… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Senator Lankford Applauds President Trump ‘Waters of the United States’ Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's executive order to revise and unwind the President Obama-era 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) regulation. The Executive Order requires the EPA and other applicable departments to review the WOTUS rule and ensure it promotes economic growth and minimizes regulatory uncertainty. The EO also requires agencies to rescind or revise aspects of WOTUS that are incompatible with this new policy guidance. "We must prot… Continue Reading
02.24.17
Senator Lankford Joins Tulsa Leaders to Unveil Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford today joined State Senator Kevin Matthews, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Oklahoma Historical Society Director Dr. Bob Blackburn, and others to formally announce the formation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to educate Oklahomans and Americans about the Race Massacre and its impact on the state and nation; remember its victims and survivors; and create an environment conducive to fostering sustainable ent… Continue Reading
02.17.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Confirmation of Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the confirmation of Scott Pruitt to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Senate voted to confirm Pruitt by a bipartisan vote of 52 to 46: "Scott Pruitt will be an outstanding Administrator of the EPA. Rather than twist environmental laws to invent new powers for the EPA, Scott will enforce existing law and ensure that we protect the environment, and also protect family budgets. … Continue Reading
02.16.17
Senator Lankford Calls on Senate to Confirm Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford tonight spoke on the Senate floor in support of Scott Pruitt's confirmation as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. A final confirmation vote for Pruitt is scheduled for approximately 12:00pm CT on Friday. CLICK HERE to view the speech Speech Transcript: "Mr. President, it is an absolute honor today to be able to rise and speak in support of Attorney General Scott Pruitt. For the last 6 years, Scott has been a leader in the state of Ok… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with federal appellate judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, Neil Gorsuch, who is President Donald Trump's nominee to be Associate Justice for the US Supreme Court. "I was glad to be able to speak with Judge Gorsuch about his qualifications to serve on the Court. We discussed his judicial philosophy, as well as the need for the Courts to respect the separation of powers between the federal government, states, and th… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Senators Lankford, Fischer, Cruz, and Inhofe Introduce Bill to Provide Transparency over Taxpayer Funded Payments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today introduced the Judgment Fund Transparency and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act (S.386), which provides transparency and accountability for claims that are successfully litigated against the US government with monetary redress. The bill also prohibits taxpayer-funded payments to foreign nations that have state-sponsored terrorism. "Years ago, Congress gave the authority to the pre… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Senator Lankford Supports Resolution to Stop SSA Overreach
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to repeal the Social Security Administration's final rule on reporting certain individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, issued during President Obama's final days in office. Under the rule, some Social Security recipients face the loss of their Second Amendment rights without notice or due process. "The rule provided by the Social Security Adm… Continue Reading
02.13.17
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Support Dr. David Shulkin for Secretary of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the confirmation of Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The full Senate overwhelmingly supported his confirmation, voting 100-0 to confirm him to the position. "Veterans deserve first-class healthcare," said Lankford. "Veterans tell me that they want to choose their healthcare provider and I want to give them that choice. I'm pleased that Dr. Shulkin and I agree that the VA shou… Continue Reading
02.10.17
Senator Lankford Supports Dr. Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Tom Price to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services: "Dr. Tom Price has spent three decades as an orthopedic surgeon and a public servant; he is uniquely qualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee and former Policy Chairman of the House of Representatives, I have seen firsthand Dr. Price's tireless work ethic and unmatc… Continue Reading
02.09.17
Lankford Subcommittee Examines Hiring Freeze and Reforms to Improve Federal Workforce
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today held a hearing to examine federal workforce reform ideas that could solve workforce challenges. Federal managers and senior executives with extensive experience managing federal civil servants discussed government-wide ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil service, and they discussed P… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Supports Jeff Sessions for Attorney General
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as the next Attorney General: "Jeff Sessions will be an Attorney General who fairly enforces the law and ensures equal justice under the law for all Americans. He has an immense amount of experience in the Senate, as a U.S. Attorney, and as a lawyer for the Department of Justice, and he will serve honorably in his new role. I have had the honor of working with Jeff Sessions for th… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Cosponsors Bill to Repeal Antiquated Laws Directed Toward Native Americans
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today cosponsored the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act, a bill originally introduced by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). The bill would repeal several outdated, offensive federal laws against Native Americans, including laws subjecting Native Americans to forced labor. Specific to Oklahoma, the bill would repeal a 100-year law that allowed for the forced removal of Native American children from … Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Director of National Intelligence Nominee Dan Coats
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with former Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. "Dan and I served together in the Senate and on the Senate Intelligence Committee; he is a great colleague and friend," said Lankford. "Dan understands the national security threats currently facing our nation and the solutions needed to thwart them. He will serve our nation well as the Director of National Intelligenc… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senators Lankford and Booker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Juvenile Solitary Confinement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the MERCY Act, a bipartisan bill that would prohibit the solitary confinement of juveniles who are tried in the federal system and held in pretrial facilities or juvenile detention facilities. "I'm glad to work on this bipartisan legislation with a group of Senators who believe in rehabilitation and redemption," said Lankford. "Young people who have been convicted of a crime should pay their debt, but their… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Stop Settlement Slush Fund Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today introduced the Stop Settlement Slush Fund Act of 2017. The bill would prohibit officials or agents of the government from entering into or enforcing any settlement agreement on behalf of the US that provides payment in the form of donations to third-parties. The bill still allows payments for environmental damages and still allows losing parties to pay restitution for harm caused by the party. Lankford introduced the bill during the 114th Con… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Taxpayers Right To Know Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today introduced The Taxpayers Right To Know Act (S.317) with Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan bill would require the federal government to make public the details, costs, and performance metrics of every federal program above $1 million. Currently, Americans are unable to see all of the programs paid for by their tax dollars. "American taxpayers deserve an efficient and effective go… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford, Reps. Black and Fortenberry Introduce Conscience Protection Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressmen Diane Black (R-TN) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) have introduced the Conscience Protection Act in the Senate and House. The Conscience Protection Act is a bill that protects health care providers, including health care professionals, entities and health insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. "The Conscience Protection Act will ensure that health providers have the ability to defend… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford Applauds New Iran Sanctions by Trump Administration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Trump Administration for announcing new sanctions against Iran. "I applaud the Trump Administration's determination to apply additional sanctions on Iran for its continued support for terrorism and increased ballistic missile tests," said Lankford. "Iran remains the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism and they continue to provoke the international community. The world must not ignore Iran's provocation and hope they won'… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford Supports Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for cloture, a procedural motion, on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos to be the Secretary of Education. Lankford also delivered a floor speech on his support for her confirmation. DeVos's vision for greater local control and a limited federal role in education policy led Senator Lankford to believe she will be a strong leader in the role of Education Secretary. "I will support Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary for one main reason-she … Continue Reading
