Press Releases
Senator Lankford Denounces Turkish President Erdogan Suggestion of Prisoner Swap
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on Turkish President Erdogan admitting that Turkey is holding American Andrew Brunson hostage in hopes that the US hands over a Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania: "President Erdogan's suggestion that the US should make a hostage-style prisoner swap for an innocent American imprisoned in Turkey is appalling and will not be taken seriously. Turkey has long been a US ally, but has chosen to complicate and weaken … Continue Reading
09.27.17
Senator Lankford Questions DHS, FBI on Puerto Rico, Russian Meddling, Election & Border Security
CLICK HERE to watch Part 1 of Lankford's Q&A CLICK HERE to watch Part 2 of Lankford's Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray and DHS Acting Director Elaine Duke during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the most pressing security threats to our American homeland. During part one of Lankford's questioning of witnesses, Lankford discussed a Jones Act request to help Puerto Rico hurricane recovery, DHS and FE… Continue Reading
09.25.17
Lankford, Tillis & Hatch Introduce The SUCCEED Act: Merit-Based Legislation To Address The Legal Uncertainty of Undocumented Children
CLICK HERE to watch the video WASHINGTON, DC - During a press conference today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers Employment Education and Defending our nation (SUCCEED) Act, a solution to address the legal uncertainty facing undocumented children who were brought to the United States as children. The SUCCEED Act provides a fair, multi-step process for undocumented children to qualify fo… Continue Reading
09.20.17
Senator Lankford Statement on David Boren’s Retirement Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the retirement announcement of University of Oklahoma President David Boren: "President Boren is an Oklahoma institution. Throughout his five decades of public life, President Boren has honorably served the people of his state and nation. I join many Oklahomans today to express my gratitude to President Boren for his faithful service to the University of Oklahoma. The relationships he forged from his service… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Senators Lankford, Blunt, Cornyn, Cruz Introduce Bill to Allow Houses of Worship to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act, which would make houses of worship eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program grants. "In June, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Trinity Lutheran that 'the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Senator Lankford Supports NDAA
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), HR 2810, which passed the Senate by a vote of 89 to 8: "Our nation faces continued threats from aggressors in North Korea, ISIS, al Qaeda, and other extremist organizations. Passing the National Defense Authorization Act is important in order to ensure the men and women serving in the Armed Forces have what they need as they protect our nation and allies. This bill approves the policies… Continue Reading
09.14.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Senate Confirmation of US Attorneys for Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded Senate confirmation of Brian J. Kuester to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and R. Trent Shores to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, by unanimous consent. "Brian and Trent are both great candidates to serve as US Attorneys for the Northern District and Eastern District of Oklahoma, and I'm grateful they were confirmed today by the Senate," said Lankford. … Continue Reading
09.13.17
Subcommittee Examines Federal Agency Reorganization and Duplication
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 how to ensure the federal government reorganizes effectively to reduce wasteful spending and better serve the American people. Following the President's March 13, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch, Office of Management and … Continue Reading
09.08.17
Senator Lankford Supports State and Foreign Operations Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) supported the FY2018 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which includes many of his proposals to provide better oversight over large foreign assistance programs and to promote international religious freedom. "As threats from North Korea, Iran, and violent extremism in Iraq and Syria continue to threaten US interests around the world, maintaining strong US global leadership is more important than ever," said Lankford. "T… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on his vote against a bill to raise the debt ceiling and fund the government for three months, while also providing disaster relief funding. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 80 to 17: "Two options were provided to address disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey: one stand-alone bill, which I fully supported and a second option that included Hurricane Harvey relief, a debt ceiling increase, and short-term fun… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Secretary Devos For Rescinding Overreaching 2011 Guidance Directive for Colleges
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for rescinding a 2011 'Dear Colleague Letter' on Title IX that regulated colleges and universities without the proper Congressional authority. In addition to rescinding the guidance letter, Secretary DeVos today committed to put in place interim documents to assist schools in enforcing Title IX responsibly, and the Department will begin the normal regular order regulatory process. "The Obama administr… Continue Reading
09.06.17
Senators Lankford, Kaine, Cardin Write Tillerson, Haley Regarding Guatemalan President
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sent the following letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and UN Ambassador Nikki Hailey expressing concern about Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales' attempt to expel Mr. Ivan Velásquez, head of the United Nations' International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), from that country. A PDF of the letter is availa… Continue Reading
09.05.17
Senator Lankford Statement on President Trump’s DACA Decision
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the President's decision to end the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program with a six-month delay: "Attorney General Jeff Sessions is correct that the White House is responsible for immigration enforcement and border security, not immigration policy. Making significant policy changes through Executive Action is the wrong approach. This type of immigration policy reform must come from the Americ… Continue Reading
09.01.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Guatemala
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the corruption investigation within the Guatemalan government: "President Morales, the Guatemalan government, and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) have made progress confronting corruption, narcoterrorism and impunity. Protecting the rule of law has helped set a new direction for Guatemala. "During the current investigation, it is critical that the process remain transpare… Continue Reading
08.24.17
Senator Lankford Announces Community Conversation at Oklahoma Christian University
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced an upcoming community event happening Tuesday, August 29 at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond. Community members are encouraged to attend so that Senator Lankford can listen to their concerns and opinions about policy developments in Washington, DC. WHAT: Community Conversation with Senator James Lankford WHEN: Tuesday, August 29th, 5:00pm-6:00pm CT WHERE: Oklahoma Christi… Continue Reading
08.15.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Charlottesville
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12: "I'm incredibly grieved by the violence and hate that took place in Virginia last weekend. The supremacy of any race over another is not only immoral, it's contradictory to our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the fundamental idea of America. We fought and defeated the type of Nazism on display in Charlottesville; we cannot… Continue Reading
08.15.17
Senator Lankford Applauds State Department International Religious Freedom Report
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the release of the State Department's International Religious Freedom Report: "I applaud Secretary Rex Tillerson's remarks on the release of today's State Department International Religious Freedom Report. It is vitally important that our top diplomat clearly and unequivocally proclaim that religious freedom is a core American value and a universal human right. Sadly, many countries, including China, Cuba, … Continue Reading
08.14.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Bombing Plot in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the FBI arrest regarding a bombing plot in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: "I applaud the work of the FBI and local law enforcement for investigating and apprehending a man who sought to commit a terrorist act in Oklahoma City. Our intelligence community and law enforcement work every day to protect our neighborhoods from attacks and terror, and they often do it without the public ever knowing. It is chilling to think… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Confirmation of Christopher Wray as FBI Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on Senate confirmation of Christopher Wray as FBI Director by a vote of 92 to 5: "I'm pleased that Christopher Wray has been confirmed and the FBI has new leadership. Wray's experience both in private and public service will serve him well to uphold the mission of the FBI to protect and defend the United States. When we met recently, I was encouraged by his vision for addressing counterterrorism, gang violence, cyber … Continue Reading
08.01.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Benefit Student Loan Borrowers and Taxpayers by Promoting Competition
WASHINGTON, DC - US Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today introduced the bipartisan Student Loan Servicer Performance Accountability Act. The legislation would benefit student loan borrowers and taxpayers by protecting and strengthening performance-based accountability of federal student loan servicers through greater competition and stronger oversight. "The Student Loan Servicer Performance Accountability Act is a commonsens… Continue Reading
