Press Releases
Senator Lankford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fight Online Sex Trafficking, Hold Backpage.com Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure justice for victims of online sex trafficking and ensure that websites such as Backpage.com, which knowingly facilitate sex trafficking, can be held liable and brought to justice. The legislation is the result of a two-year Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry, led by Senators… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Statement on North Korea Missile Test
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on North Korea reportedly testing a ballistic missile: "Today's North Korea missile test into Japanese waters is another in a long line of provocative and aggressive actions intended to intimidate its neighbors and the world. Kim Jong-un has regrettably prioritized spending millions of dollars launching missiles into the Pacific while his own people go without basic necessities such as food and electricity. North Kor… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri, who is visiting the United States this week. "It was an honor to meet with Prime Minister Hariri during his diplomatic trip to the United States this week," said Lankford. "During the meeting, we were able to discuss our commitment to stand with the Lebanese people as they face multiple terrorist threats in the region. Lebanon bears the brunt of the Syrian humanitarian refugee crisis, hostin… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Senate’s Failure to Repeal and Replace Obamacare
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the Senate's failure to pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Although Lankford supported the Health Care Freedom Act in order to progress to a House-Senate conference committee process, it was voted down by a vote of 49 to 51. "I'm deeply disappointed that the Senate was unable to repeal and replace Obamacare. For years, I and my staff have worked to develop solutions to our national healthcare crisis. Aft… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Senator Lankford Welcomes Additional Sanctions on Iran, Russia, North Korea
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement regarding passage of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364), legislation that gives the Trump administration an essential tool for deterring threats from Iran and North Korea and expands current US sanctions on Russia. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 98-2. The House passed this bill by a vote of 419-3 on Tuesday: "Congress has voted overwhelmingly to hold the oppressive leaders o… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Appropriations Committee Passes Senator Lankford’s First Legislative Branch Funding Bill as Chairman
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) FY2018 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill with funding and policy provisions to address heightened Capitol security challenges, freeze pay for Members of Congress, and address a number of other issues within the Legislative Branch. Lankford was named chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch in January. "In a year with limited resources, we've had to make thoughtful d… Continue Reading
07.26.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Nomination of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on President Trump's nomination of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback to be the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department: "I applaud the President for nominating an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2017 report claims that numerous countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, North … Continue Reading
07.25.17
Senator Lankford Votes to Start Debate on Healthcare Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of a procedural measure to begin an open debate and amendment process to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. "Today, I voted to start debate and begin the amendment process to repeal and replace Obamacare," said Lankford. "This was the first step to provide Oklahomans relief from the problems of Affordable Care Act. In Oklahoma, we are down to only one health insurer on the individual market and have experienced an ave… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Senator Lankford Supports CRA to Stop Arbitration Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Republican colleagues to file a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval in the Senate against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) arbitration rule. "Federal agencies cannot create new regulations at their own discretion," said Lankford. "The arbitration rule adopted by the CFPB is another example of a rogue federal… Continue Reading
07.19.17
Senator Lankford Challenged US Postal Officials on Allegations USPS Employees Worked on 2016 Campaigns
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today challenged a panel of witnesses during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on violations of the Hatch Act by the United States Postal Service during the 2016 campaign. The hearing entitled, "The Postal Service's Actions During the 2016 Campaign Season: Implications for the Hatch Act," focused on an investigation by the Postal Service Inspector General and the Office of Special Counsel in re… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Revised Senate Healthcare Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on today's release of Senate Republican's revised healthcare reform bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), which intends to stablize healthcare markets, lower premiums, and give the states more control over healthcare regulation: "I believe we need healthcare reform that provides better healthcare choices and helps bring down costs for people in our state. I have started analyzing the revised draft bill to de… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Judge Charles Goodwin to US District Court in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's nomination of Judge Charles Goodwin to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. "Charles Goodwin is a qualified judicial candidate for the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and I'm pleased he's been nominated," said Lankford. "He has served Oklahoma well as a Magistrate Judge, and I am confident that he'll continue to serve this court and the nation well bec… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Senator Lankford Meets with FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Christopher Wray, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "Christopher 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," said Lankford. "Today's meeting with Chris was an opportunity to meet and ask specific questions about his qualifications and priorities. We discussed inv… Continue Reading
07.11.17
Majority Leader McConnell Accepts Senator Lankford’s Request to Delay August Recess
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today delayed the start of the August state work period, after a group of Senators, including Senator James Lankford (R-OK), asked him to cancel or shorten the recess. Specifically, McConnell announced that he will delay the August recess until the third week of August if meaningful progress has not been made on several pressing issues in Congress, including health care, defense authorization, and budget issues. "I'm pleased that M… Continue Reading
07.11.17
Senators Lankford, Fischer Reintroduce Bill to Bring Transparency to Unfunded Mandates
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced The Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act. The legislation addresses loopholes that allow federal agencies to impose mandates on state and local governments-as well as the private sector-without providing a transparent accounting of costs. "Expensive, hidden costs from regulators continue to force American families to pay more for goods and services," said Lankford. "The Unfunded Mandates Refo… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Senator Lankford: Cancel August Recess to Address Pressing Issues in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a group of Senators to ask Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to cancel or shorten the Senate's scheduled August state work period if meaningful progress has not been made on several pressing issues in Congress. The Senators urge Congress to focus on the following five priorities before adjourning in August: fixing health care, passing a budget resolution, funding the government through appropriations, dealing with the debt ceiling… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud US Attorney Nomination to Federal District in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of R. Trent Shores to be US Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The United States Attorney serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer within his federal judicial district. "Trent is a great candidate to serve as a US Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma because of his experience and commitment to enforce the rule of law," said Lankford. "Trent's years of work… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senator Lankford, Rep. Jenkins Introduce Social Cost of Carbon Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV) today introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act, a bill to prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon, social cost of methane, social cost of nitrous oxide, or the social cost of any other greenhouse gas metrics in the rulemaking process. These social cost of greenhouse gas metrics are theoretical measurements to try to put a price or economic impact on emissions… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senator Lankford Chairs Hearing on Security for US Capitol, members of Congress, and Police
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which includes jurisdiction of the United States Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SSA). The hearing focused on the FY2018 budget request for SSA and Capitol Police for the protection of Members of Congress, staff, and the over four million visitors to the Capitol each year. Transcript from opening statement: Senator James L… Continue Reading
06.26.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Supreme Court Trinity Lutheran Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Supreme Court 7-2 ruling, in favor of Trinity Lutheran Church and religious freedom, that the state of Missouri was wrong to exclude Trinity Lutheran Church from a program intended to help nonprofits improve the playground at its preschool and daycare center. In April 2016, Senator Lankford joined colleagues in the House and Senate to submit an amicus brief in this case in support of Trinity Lutheran Church. "I applaud the Supr… Continue Reading
