Press Releases
Senator Lankford Statement on Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement after the House of Representatives decided to delay the vote on the American Health Care Act (HR 1628): "Today's events in the House of Representatives may be disconcerting to many Americans and Oklahomans, but this is a part of the legislative process that often happens without much attention. There are often lengthy debates, rescheduled votes, and amendment negotiations outside the media spotlight that the general pu… Continue Reading
03.23.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Conclusion of Judge Gorsuch Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the conclusion of Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee: "Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats have no reason to try to mount a filibuster against Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Judge Gorsuch has an impressive record of interpreting the law without trying to legislate from the bench. All eight sitting Supreme Court Justices, as we… Continue Reading
03.23.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Administration Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on reports that the Trump Administration will approval the Keystone XL oil pipeline: "I am glad the Trump administration is moving energy forward with the completion of the northern-leg of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. This is a safe and efficient way to move crude from Canada through the Midwest to the Gulf Coast, but was subject to years of political delay, even though there was no evidence of a significant impact o… Continue Reading
03.21.17
Senators Lankford and Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Foster Care and Adoption Standards Nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act (S. 684), a bill to improve matching children and families through foster care in the United States. This bill would also create a national standard and database to achieve greater uniformity and transparency to ensure quality foster care placements. Representatives Steve Russell (R-OK), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Karen Bass (D-CA) today introduced th… Continue Reading
03.20.17
Senator Lankford Returns from Middle East Intelligence Committee Trip
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today returned from an Intelligence Committee trip to the Middle East to evaluate regional anti-terrorism efforts, conduct oversight of intelligence programs, and visit key allies in the fight against terrorism. The trip included stops in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, and Lankford was joined by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR). Th… Continue Reading
03.16.17
Senator Lankford Statement on President Trump’s Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the White House's release of a budget guideline: "Today's budget from the White House is the start of a conversation about the federal budget and how the American people's hard-earned taxpayer money should be spent. I appreciate the White House using many ideas from my Federal Fumbles government waste report. Our nation still faces a massive $19 trillion federal debt that must be addressed with targeted cuts… Continue Reading
03.16.17
Senator Lankford Questions Trump Administration on Strategy for Imprisoned Americans Abroad
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Trump administration to inquire about its diplomatic strategy within the State Department for securing the release of American citizens unjustly detained or imprisoned in a foreign country. As State Department Secretary Rex Tillerson restructures the Department, Lankford sent the letter to encourage Mr. Tillerson and his team to develop a new diplomatic strategy that aggressively advocates for detained U.S. citizens and … Continue Reading
03.15.17
Senator Lankford Delivers Speech on Senate Floor About Oklahoma Wildfires
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate about the Oklahoma wildfires and efforts to recover from the damage. Lankford and Senator Jim Inhofe toured the damage in and around Woodward on Friday, March 10. Excerpt: I'm grateful there are neighbors taking care of neighbors. And I'm proud of the people of Oklahoma who are watching out for each other. As we walk through this, God willing, we'll continue to be abl… Continue Reading
03.15.17
Senator Lankford Supports National Intelligence Nominee Dan Coats
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement in support of the confirmation of Dan Coats to be 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. Dan understands the national security threats currently facing our nation and the solutions needed to thwart them. I am pleased that the Senate has overwhelmingly voted to confirm Dan; he will serve our natio… Continue Reading
03.15.17
Citizens Against Government Waste Honors Senator Lankford as “Taxpayer Super Hero”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today was awarded by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) as a "Taxpayer Super Hero". Lankford was one of only four lawmakers to earn a perfect score from CCAGW 2016 Congressional Ratings. CCAGW President Tom Schatz said, "We applaud and wholeheartedly thank Senator Lankford for his tireless work on behalf of the taxpayers while serving in Congress. Senator Lankford's courageous work to expose wasteful spending in his annual F… Continue Reading
03.15.17
Senator Lankford’s Taxpayers Right to Know Act Receives Committee Approval
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) transparency bill, The Taxpayers Right to Know Act, was reported favorably out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today during a markup. The bipartisan bill would require the federal government to make public the details, costs, and performance metrics of every federal program above one million dollars. Currently, Americans are unable to see all of the programs paid for by their tax dollars. The House unanimously… Continue Reading
03.14.17
Senator Lankford Votes to Overturn Obama Administration Labor Drug Testing Regulation
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for and applauded Senate passage of H.J.Res.42, a Congressional Review Act to overturn an unemployment drug testing regulation issued by the Department of Labor on August 1, 2016. This rule, promulgated from the bipartisan Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, was reinterpreted by the Obama administration to limit states' congressionally intended discretion in implementing their unemployment compensation and unemployment … Continue Reading
03.14.17
Senator Lankford Visits White House to Discuss Obamacare Replacement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and senior officials at the White House about the repeal and replacement of Obamacare: "Because of Obamacare, thousands of families in Oklahoma can no longer afford health insurance or the rising premiums and deductibles. Oklahoma is currently experiencing a one-year 76 percent insurance increase with only one insurer through the federal exchange, on top of a 35 pe… Continue Reading
03.13.17
Senator Lankford Applauds President Trump Executive Order to Reorganize Executive Branch
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on President Trump's government reorganization and modernization Executive Order: "I applaud President Trump's Executive Order to develop a plan that will reorganize and reduce duplication in federal agencies. This directive from the President will allow agencies to address areas that are wasteful, and prioritize the departments and programs that are most needed by Americans. It is time the federal governmen… Continue Reading
03.10.17
Small Business Groups Praise Lankford’s Small Business Regulatory Bill
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Wednesday, Senator James Lankford introduced a package of regulatory improvement bills, including the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.584), which is co-sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND); Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman of the Judiciary Committee; and Jim Risch (R-ID); chairman of the Small Business Committee. Similar legislation passed the House and is building support in the Senate. Here is what some small business advocacy groups are sa… Continue Reading
03.09.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Provide Information Available to Oklahomans Affected by Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today released information on the services available to provide assistance to Oklahomans impacted by the wildfires affecting northwestern Oklahoma. Lankford and Inhofe will also tour the region and hold a press conference tomorrow at 10:00AM CT at the West Woodward Airport. For press conference information, click here. "All of Oklahoma stands with our friends and neighbors in northwest Oklahoma battling the devastat… Continue Reading
03.09.17
Lankford Subcommittee Examines Use of Sound Science During the Creation of Regulations
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 agencies use scientific information when making regulatory decisions. The hearing also analyzed how past administrations have encouraged the use of sound science, and steps that Congress should take to ensure agencies use the best available information and apply it in a transparent m… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Senator Lankford Calls on Senate to Overturn Obama Administration Education Regulation
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate in favor of overturning an Obama administration Department of Education accountability and state plans regulation. In December 2015, Congress passed, and President Obama signed into law, the Every Student Succeeds Act to repeal No Child Left Behind, but the Obama administration Department of Education reinterpreted the bill's regulations to place more federal mandates a… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Senators Lankford, Hoeven, Risch, and Grassley Introduce Small Business Regulatory Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.584) to require federal agencies to analyze the full impact of a proposed regulation on small businesses during the rulemaking process. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Jim Risch (R-ID), who is chairman of the Small Business Committee. "Small businesses are responsible for nea… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Regulatory Improvement Bills to Improve Rulemaking Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced a package of regulatory improvement bills aimed at improving the federal rulemaking process so that the final regulation works better for the American people. Lankford's objective is to improve the process of how regulations are made by facilitating greater transparency and accountability in the federal rulemaking process. "No matter who the president is, the federal rulemaking process needs greater transparency and accountability… Continue Reading
