Press Releases
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
02.02.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Small Business Nominee Linda McMahon
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. "It's through entrepreneurship and small business that the American dream comes alive," said Lankford. "In the last eight years, small businesses have been faced a tough reality with numerous burdensome regulations that jeopardize the dream for too many. Linda McMahon is a proven, successful business owner who is focus… Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senators Lankford, Rubio Urge President Trump To Quickly Nominate Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a Senate letter to President Trump and Secretary Rex Tillerson urging the prioritization of the nomination of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom within the State Department. Considering the extreme religious persecution around the world, the Senators expressed the urgent need to have a diplomatic advocate in the State Department working to protect and advance religious freedom abroad. The le… Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Expand Free Speech for Houses of Worship and Nonprofits
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act (S.264), a bill that gives nonprofits and houses of worship the freedom to speak about government or electoral activity without the threat of retribution from the Internal Revenue Service. Specifically, the Free Speech Fairness Act addresses the shortcomings of the Johnson Amendment, which in 1954 was inserted into the Tax Code by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson. The Johnson Amendment prohibits nonprofits … Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senator Lankford Praises President Trump Supreme Court Pick Neil Gorsuch, Calls For National Unity
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video CLICK HERE to view the DropBox video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford today released a video statement on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch. He also released a written statement after the announcement last night. Excerpts: I was tracking a lot of the individuals that were moving through the process that the President had narrowed down the list. Neil Gorsuch was my selection that I thought, 'That would be one of the be… Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford: The American people have spoken on the future of the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) tonight issued the following statement on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch. Gorsuch currently serves on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Oklahoma. "Many Americans went to the polls last November to not only vote for the President, but to make their voice heard on the direction of the highest court in the land. The American people have spoken on the future of the Supreme Court. We now have a nominee … Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford Supports President Trump Regulatory Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford released the following statement on President Trump's executive action on regulations, issued Monday: "For years, too many families and small businesses have been stifled by the incredible growth of the regulatory state. It is the pace, intrusiveness, and sheer burden of regulations that has stalled job creation and economic growth. Regulatory experts have shared their stories multiple times in our Subcommittee over the past few years that not only is th… Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford Announces Hire of Southeast Oklahoma Field Representative
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the hire of Caleb Cochran as Field Representative for Southeast Oklahoma. The job of Field Representative is to represent the Senator throughout the region at meetings and events. Cochran will be based in Lankford's Oklahoma City office, and he will travel throughout Southeast Oklahoma on behalf of Lankford. "I am happy to welcome Caleb to the team," said Lankford. "His experience and roots in Southeast Oklahoma will be a great ass… Continue Reading
01.30.17
Senator Lankford Joins Senator Ernst to Introduce Legislation to Redirect Planned Parenthood Taxpayer Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - As an original co-sponsor, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the "Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act," a bill that redirects taxpayer funds from Planned Parenthood to other eligible women's health care providers that don't perform abortions. Lankford also cosponsored a bill to repeal the Department of Health and Human Services' new rule to amend regulations implementing the Title X Family Planning Program, which allows fed… Continue Reading
01.30.17
Senator Lankford Statement on President Trump’s Immigration & Refugee Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) comment on President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order: "As leaders, we have a responsibility to secure the homeland. The executive action issued Friday is a 90-day pause and reevaluation of the screening process for individuals traveling from seven war-torn nations and a 120-day pause for the refugee resettlement program. It is not a ban on Muslims or a permanent change in immigration policy. This executive action has some unintended consequenc… Continue Reading
01.27.17
Senator Lankford Participates in March for Life
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement after participating in the annual March for Life in Washington, DC: "Today's March for Life is an incredible display of compassion for the dignity of all human life. I'm grateful for every person today who traveled to Washington, DC to support the lives of all people - no matter how small. The debate about abortion is no longer about a collection of cells, it is about a preborn human that can feel pain, has a be… Continue Reading
01.26.17
Senator Lankford to Chair Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has been chosen to chair an Appropriations Subcommittee and serve on a new Subcommittee. This week, Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) announced that Lankford will serve as the new chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, which maintains jurisdiction over the Federal Legislative Branch of government, including the Capitol Police, House of Representatives, Senate, Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Offic… Continue Reading
01.24.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Process to Repeal and Replace Obamacare in Senate Floor Speech
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford today delivered an extensive speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the devastating impact of Obamacare on Oklahoma, the upcoming Obamacare-related burdens that lie ahead, the misleading and dramatic fear-tactics being used by some Democrats, and the Republican-led multi-step process to repeal and replace Obamacare. Excerpts: Here's the crisis in Oklahoma dealing with health care. We have the highest rate increase in… Continue Reading
01.24.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Keystone XL and Dakota Access Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on President Trump's executive action to advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines: "I applaud today's executive actions from the President to move the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines forward, along with the thousands of jobs that come with it. There has been an open and methodical process for both projects and now it's time to move ahead. The Obama administration delayed the Keystone XL Pipe… Continue Reading
01.24.17
Senators Lankford, Kaine, Rubio and Coons Introduce Resolution on US-Argentina Partnership
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced a resolution yesterday that reaffirms the partnership between the United States and Argentina and recognizes the economic reforms implemented by Argentina since its election of President Mauricio Macri in November 2015. "The United States and Argentina have long shared a commitment to the values of liberty and democracy," said Senator Lankford. "Argentina's interest in growi… Continue Reading
01.23.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Pro-Life Mexico City Policy Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on President Trump's Executive Order to reinstate and update a ban on international aid organizations from providing or promoting abortion. This is often called the 'Mexico City Policy': "For years, our nation has debated life and abortion, but at least we should agree that no taxpayer should be forced to pay for abortion with their hard-earned tax dollars. Reinstating the Mexico City Policy stops our tax mone… Continue Reading
