James Lankford

After 37 years of service to Oklahoma, Tim Gatz is retiring from ODOT. You’d be hard-pressed to travel an Oklahoma highway or interstate that isn’t better today because of Tim’s decades of work. Congratulations on a job well done! https://t.co/UYCc5HVPg5

Americans should not be forced to pay for elective abortion coverage that they do not want or agree with.

The Mother Road turns 100 next month! Cindy and I stopped by the new Route 66 Push Pin installation near Wellston, marking the highway’s midpoint in Oklahoma. https://t.co/WNuYcQFbWi https://t.co/kQbvgpNW8s

I join many other Oklahomans in thanking Annie Mack Vest for her service to our state. Oklahomans are no strangers to weather-related disasters, but thanks to Annie’s tireless dedication, our state has had a more efficient and effective response after disaster strikes. Her compassion and work ethic have been a gift to Oklahomans hurting after the storm. Thank you, Annie, and best wishes to you and your family in the years ahead. https://t.co/4KQEKvDYsD

What a great tradition! Cheering on @OU_Football and the NROTC midshipmen as they start their run to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry! #boomersooner

On October 7th, 2023, the world united against the horrors of antisemitism. By October 8th, antisemitic propaganda was already flooding social media and college campuses around the country. In the October 8th world, we each have the responsibility to call out antisemitism wherever we see it, to defend human dignity, and to speak out for religious liberty for all people. https://t.co/oiUq8xLXA8

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, today marked the third anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in a new Washington Examiner column analyzing the rise of antisemitism since the attacks and the need to confront it wherever it appears. You can read it below or find it HERE. The world of Oct. 8: Where antisemitism didn’t just return — it became trendy By: James Lankford Wednesday marks the three-year anniversary of one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in history: the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Hamas terrorists flooded into Israel and murdered over 1,200 innocent Jewish men, women, and children, including 46 Americans. In addition to the death toll, Hamas captured and tormented 254 hostages, among them 12 Americans. On Oct. 7, the world united against the horrors of antisemitism. Across the globe, people posted messages such as “Pray for Israel” and “We stand with Israel.” However, by the next morning, antisemitic propaganda was already flooding social media and college campuses around the country. People took to the streets to celebrate the “liberation” of Israel. A speaker at a rally in Philadelphia proclaimed, “I think that we should all give an applause right now to Hamas for a job well done,” and a rally in New York City chanted, “Globalize the intifada” and “smash the settler Zionist state.” Within a few weeks of the Oct. 7 slaughter, it inexplicably became trendy on the political Left and the supposed “New Right” to say dumb and violent things about Jews and Israel. The rhetoric exceeded well beyond simple disagreement with the political or military decisions of the Israeli government. Without question, the U.S. Constitution protects the right of people in America to say epically dumb things. The Constitution also protects my right to call their rhetoric what it is — racist, ignorant, and antisemitic. Hatred isn’t new for the Jewish people. For thousands of years, they have suffered racism, slavery, and genocide. From Egyptian slavery to Haman, Roman Occupation, the pogroms, and the Holocaust, irrational hatred toward Jewish people has persisted over millennia. But, in a more educated American society, you would hope that the lessons of the past would be applied and the scourge of antisemitism would finally end. That may be so someday, but today the social media algorithm teaches people to join in the centuries-old bias. We still have hope delayed. Earlier this year, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, where Jews were unloaded from trains and sent to their death. I walked through the muddy streets that day and saw the evidence of the atrocities at the death wall and the crematoria. Hitler and his Nazi apparatus spread their vile antisemitic propaganda, then murdered 6 million Jews and absurdly declared that their brutality was justified because the Jews were “the problem.” We are now living in the world of Oct. 8, where antisemitism is growing, and antisemitic incidents involving harassment, assault, and vandalism are more frequent now than they were before Oct. 7, 2023. Recent data from the FBI’s 2025 Hate Crimes Report shows that more than 62% of religiously-motivated hate crimes in 2025 targeted Jewish Americans — more than any other religious group. 2025 was the third-highest year of anti-Jewish hate crimes on record. How we talk about antisemitism matters for the next generation. A recent study found that a single classroom lesson for middle and high school students on antisemitism reduces their willingness to agree with antisemitic tropes. Fact-based education matters in a free society. If you want to dive deeper into the past and help your classroom or family explore the consequences of antisemitism, the United States Holocaust Museum has excellent free online videos, visuals, and teaching materials. The deceit online needs a good dose of truth. As a Christian and the co-chairman of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, it is my mission to work for justice for all people. I collaborate with my colleagues, law enforcement, the White House, federal agencies, state and local governments, educators, advocates, and clergy against irrational Jewish hatred. In the Oct. 8 world, we each have the responsibility to call out antisemitism wherever we see it, to defend human dignity, and to speak out for the inherent right of religious liberty for all people. ###

Great to stop by and say thank you to some of Tulsa’s finest at this year’s Tulsa State Fair. I appreciate Sheriff Vic Regalado and Police Chief Jonathan Brooks for their work to keep the fair safe and fun for Tulsa families! https://t.co/JCivV3Y5w8

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Senate Values Action Team, and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) recently led 128 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging the IG to review and investigate the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and its affiliates. “Serious concerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds,” the Republican lawmakers wrote. “In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs,” they continued. The lawmakers argue these concerns warrant a comprehensive review of Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. “Congress has taken action to ensure taxpayer dollars are not funding organizations that perform abortions, but our work to protect taxpayers and ensure federal law is followed does not stop there,” said Lankford. “Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review. The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars.” “Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer dollars. Since 1970, it has killed over ten million unborn babies in its clinics—and today exterminates over 1,000 unborn babies every single day,” said Smith. “Moreover, as the author of our Nation’s first anti-human trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386), I remain deeply concerned by Live Action’s credible accusations against Planned Parenthood involving its affiliates’ enabling of human sex trafficking. In addition to reports of covering up and perpetuating sexual exploitation and abuse, Planned Parenthood has been haunted by allegations of trafficking fetal tissue, fraudulently using federal funds, and violating health codes. Aided by allies in Congress, the media, and academia, Planned Parenthood has largely escaped scrutiny and accountability, all while fostering a culture of death, denial, disrespect and discrimination against babies. It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients.” Background The letter follows a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly received approximately $88 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers are also raising concerns about additional allegations involving fraud, false statements, potential violations of federal criminal law, and failures to disclose potential violations to the federal government. The lawmakers are asking the HHS Inspector General to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received and determine whether they were used in accordance with federal law. They also urged the Inspector General to coordinate with other federal oversight agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as needed. Joining Lankford in sending the letter are Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). Joining Smith in the House are 105 additional Representatives. You can download the full text of the letter HERE and can learn more in Fox Digital HERE. ###

What a night in Durant! While some call Oklahoma a flyover state, @realDonaldTrump fired up the Beast and made the drive. Thank you, Mr. President! https://t.co/R6jy1SrQ94

Crime is at a 90-year low, inflation is down significantly, and the border is secured. We’ve come a long way in two years, and there’s still work to do. It’s crucial that Republicans keep the House and Senate in November. https://t.co/8erlVAgdig

Check out this video today at the @TulsaCountyGOP booth at the Tulsa State Fair. Thanks to @realDonaldTrump for sending it and Tulsa County GOP Chair Melissa Myers for calling me with the idea to ask him to record it!

A slight upgrade from my typical commercial flight home… We will see you soon, Durant! https://t.co/WNimIGmKth

Ran into a former Southeastern Oklahoma State basketball player on the way to Durant with President Trump. https://t.co/QIunIdGjML

Grateful to catch a ride with President Trump on Air Force One back to God’s Country. See you soon, Oklahoma! https://t.co/u6UWpq2Ll2

Durant, we are on the way. Motorcade passing through Gainesville, TX now. Get ready. Get loud!

Presidents have been visiting Oklahoma since before statehood. Grateful for the opportunity to travel with President Trump aboard Air Force One as he visits the Sooner State today! https://t.co/FBv1lbCuIp

We do have some great golf courses in Oklahoma, Mr. President. Every year, thousands of freedom-loving Americans make the move to our great state! https://t.co/Fgdx5z0j73

Today, Democrats are blocking @SenJonHusted’s Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House 417-3 and would help keep the cost of powering massive data centers off the electric bills of American families. We already have these protections in Oklahoma, and it should be commonsense to have these protections nationwide.

For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has protected taxpayers from being forced to pay for abortions. No American should be forced to pay for an abortion with their hard-earned tax dollars. I’ll keep fighting to protect Hyde and stand for the value of every child. https://t.co/t8Yn2MNz1q

Resolution Recognizes 50 Years of Bipartisan Support for the Hyde Amendment and its Protections for Unborn Children WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chair of the Senate Values Action Team, introduced a resolution recognizing the Hyde Amendment’s 50th anniversary and its enduring legacy of protecting unborn children and upholding the conscience rights of American taxpayers. The resolution commemorates 50 years of the Hyde Amendment by recognizing its legacy of saving more than 2.6 million lives while affirming that federal taxpayers should not be compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious and moral beliefs. “For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been an important protection for American taxpayers,” said Lankford. “Every child is valuable. No American should ever wonder if the check they’re sending to the IRS on April 15 will be used to pay for someone’s elective abortion. Hyde was a bipartisan agreement five decades ago, and it has been included in appropriations bills every year since. We should keep that commitment in place.” You can download the text of the resolution HERE or below: Whereas September 30, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, a longstanding pro-life provision which protects Federal taxpayer dollars from being used to take human life through elective abortion; Whereas, in 1976, Congressman Henry J. Hyde introduced an amendment, which bears his name, to House of Representatives Bill No. 14232, 94th Congress (referred to in this preamble as the “Hyde Amendment”); Whereas, in introducing his amendment, Congressman Hyde explained, “We who seek to protect that most defenseless and innocent of human lives, the unborn—seek to inhibit the use of Federal funds to pay for and thus encourage abortion as an answer to the human and compelling problem of an unwanted child.”; Whereas the Hyde Amendment was adopted by Congress, shortly after Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) was decided, by a bipartisan vote and has been renewed in both Republican and Democratic majorities through the annual appropriations process for 50 years; Whereas, since 1976, more than 2,600,000 lives have been saved by the Hyde Amendment; Whereas the Hyde Amendment reflects the bipartisan principle that American Federal taxpayer dollars should not be used to finance abortions, safeguarding taxpayers’ conscience rights; Whereas public funding of abortion makes the American taxpayer complicit in the physical, emotional, and societal harm caused to women by abortion and increases the pressure a woman may already feel to have an abortion; Whereas the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment provides an opportunity to remember the more than 64,000,000 abortions that have taken place in the United States since the Roe v. Wade decision; and Whereas every human life in the womb has inherent dignity and worth, is not inconvenient, and has the right to life: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the amendment by Congressman Henry Hyde (referred to in this resolution as the “Hyde Amendment”); (2) commemorates the adoption of the Hyde Amendment in 1976, and its continued inclusion in Federal appropriations bills for 5 decades; (3) honors the legacy of Congressman Hyde and recognizes his leadership in establishing the policy that bears his name; (4) recognizes the 2,600,000 lives saved by the Hyde Amendment; (5) affirms the principle that Federal taxpayers should not be compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious, moral, medical, or ethical convictions; (6) recognizes the Members of Congress, advocates, citizens, and organizations that have worked for more than 5 decades to preserve protections for unborn children and to maintain limitations on the use of Federal funds for abortion; and (7) encourages the people of the United States to reflect upon the history and significance of the Hyde Amendment and the loss of more than 64,000,000 babies through abortions that have taken place since Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973). Background Congressman Henry Hyde first introduced the Hyde Amendment in 1976, and it has been included in federal appropriations bills for five decades. Lankford’s resolution recognizes the amendment’s bipartisan history and its role in protecting taxpayers from being compelled to fund abortions in violation of their deeply held religious, moral, medical, or ethical convictions. The resolution also recognizes more than 2.6 million unborn children whom it attributes to having been saved by the Hyde Amendment. Joining Lankford in introducing the resolution are Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jim Justice (R-WV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Darline Graham (R-SC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Dave McCormick (R-PA). Rep. Smith (R-NJ-04) introduced companion legislation in the House along with 27 other House members, including Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Riley Moore (R-WV-02), Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Michael Cloud (R-TX-27), Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Ron Estes (R-KS-04), Harriet Hageman (R-WY-AL), Andy Harris (R-MD-01), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Addison McDowell (R-NC-06), John McGuire (R-VA-05), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Bob Onder (R-MO-03), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Keith Self (R-TX-03), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15), Daniel Webster (R-FL-11), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02). Supporting organizations include CatholicVote, Americans United for Life, National Right to Life Committee, Live Action, March for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, Heritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Heartbeat International, United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Family Research Council. You can learn more about the resolution in the Daily Wire HERE. ###

My Democrat colleagues are determined to strip away the Hyde Amendment. On this 50th anniversary, I am committed to making sure that doesn't happen. Every life is valuable, and the government should not be paying for abortions. https://t.co/kAQ7syG9zT

Thank you, President Trump, for the kind words and for sending your greetings to Oklahomans heading to the Tulsa State Fair. It kicks off tomorrow, and if you’re there, make sure to stop by and say hello to the great folks at the Tulsa County GOP booth! https://t.co/bPqjqFyY8y

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) secured unanimous Senate passage of their resolution recognizing 50 years of Prison Fellowship’s work to bring faith-based rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances to people impacted by incarceration. The bipartisan resolution recognizes Prison Fellowship’s nationwide impact and comes months after Lankford celebrated the launch of the organization’s first federal Prison Fellowship Academy at the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma. “Prison Fellowship has spent 50 years helping people understand that a mistake does not have to be the end of their story,” said Lankford. “Their work points people to Christ, helps restore families, and gives people the opportunity to change. I’m grateful for the staff and volunteers who have stayed committed to this work for five decades, and I’m glad to recognize Prison Fellowship on its 50th anniversary.” “The first time I was in a maximum-security prison, I was 12 years old, joining my father on one of his prison ministry visits,” said Coons. “I saw how prison ministry transformed the lives of both those inside the prison and for our family outside of it. For 50 years, Prison Fellowship has brought that transformation to communities across the country, answering Jesus’ call to love our neighbors no matter where or who they are.” “Chuck Colson once described his imprisonment as ‘the great humiliation of my life’—yet God used that humiliation for a greater purpose,” said Scott Peyton, Senior Director of Advocacy. “Fifty years later, Prison Fellowship continues that legacy, encountering Jesus with those impacted by incarceration, equipping the Church, and advancing justice that restores. We are deeply grateful to Senators James Lankford and Chris Coons for their leadership, and to the United States Senate for honoring fifty years of transformed lives and the enduring truth that no life is beyond the reach of God’s grace.” Background Lankford has spent years working to expand opportunities for faith-based organizations to serve individuals in federal prisons. In 2018, Lankford supported the bipartisan First Step Actand successfully amended the legislation to ensure faith-based organizations could provide job training, social development, and family programming on equal footing with non-faith-based organizations. That work helped establish the framework for faith-based rehabilitation programs like Prison Fellowship to partner with the Bureau of Prisons. In June 2026, Lankford celebrated the launch of the first federal Prison Fellowship Academy at the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma. The Prison Fellowship Academy became the first nonprofit program designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as an evidence-based recidivism reduction program under the First Step Act. Lankford has continued to champion faith-based rehabilitation and successful reentry through bipartisan efforts including the MERCY Act and the Safer Supervision Act. Founded in 1976 by the late Charles Colson following his conversion to Christianity during incarceration, Prison Fellowship is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The organization serves prisoners, former prisoners, and their families through programs focused on rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances. You can download the full text of the resolution HERE. ###

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Values Action Team, and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Religious Education Fairness Act, legislation that would protect students studying for ministry and other religious vocations from losing access to federal student aid under a new earnings test. The bill protects programs classified as Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies at eligible educational institutions from the Working Families Tax Cut Act’s “Do No Harm” provision, which puts federal student aid at risk based on graduates’ earnings. “A student who feels called to pastor a church or serve as a missionary should not lose access to student aid because Washington measures the value of that calling by a paycheck,” said Lankford. “The Religious Education Fairness Act protects those students pursuing ministry from a test that was never designed for them. Groups supporting the bill are Alliance Defending Freedom, the Association for Biblical Higher Education, the Orthodox Union, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Schools, the International Alliance for Christian Education, and the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities. Background The Working Families Tax Cut Act enacted an earnings-based accountability measure, known as the “Do No Harm” (DNH) provision. Under the statute, post-graduation earnings data will be used to determine whether certain programs remain eligible for federal Direct Loans. On July 1, 2026, the Department of Education finalized its rule implementing the earnings-based accountability measure. The rule also established a new administrative capability requirement that threatens programmatic and institutional eligibility for other Higher Education Act Title IV programs, such as Pell Grants and Federal Work-Study. Given that many religious vocations are service-oriented rather than high-paying careers, the DNH provision and the final rule could disproportionately impact students pursuing ministry and other religious vocations. Applying the earnings test to these programs would substantially burden religious exercise and violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Religious Education Fairness Act uses the existing Title IX religious exemption framework to identify eligible institutions and protects covered programs from losing Direct Loan eligibility under the “Do No Harm” earnings test and other Title IV eligibility under the rule’s administrative capability requirement. ###