Dear Oklahoma Friends and Neighbors, 

It's a new year, and already a lot has happened since the first of the year. The arrival of 2018 brought Congress a number of important issues to tackle including passing a budget for the federal government, budget reform, and national security. We are also continuing to confirm nominations for the judicial branch and the executive branch. 

As we address these issues, I hope you will stay in touch by contacting my office directly. I look forward to connecting with you in the days ahead.

Shutdown Recap

As you may have heard, the federal government shut down for three days last week because Senate Democrats disagreed with the ongoing, bipartisan immigration negotiations. Thankfully, they came around, and we passed a funding bill Monday evening. The final bill signed into law included short-term funding through February 8, 2018, extended the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, and suspended certain Obamacare taxes and fees.

The shutdown could have been avoided. The only positive outcome from the shutdown has been the multitude of bipartisan meetings that have occurred this week to negotiate multiple issues. Now it's time for Congress to address the hard issues and begin debating and voting again. I look forward to getting this important work done in the days ahead. 

I will continue to work on real reform to improve Senate processes and rules and get the Senate working again. CLICK HERE to read more about my proposal to reform Senate processes and rules. In 2016, I proposed reforms to the budget to prevent government shutdowns. CLICK HERE to read more.

CLICK HERE to watch my floor speech prior to the shutdown. CLICK HERE to read my full statement following the vote on Monday.

Immigration Update

In September 2017, President Trump announced he would end President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on March 5, 2018. He asked Congress to make changes to immigration policy through legislation, not changes from the executive branch. It is right for there to be consequences for those who intentionally entered this country illegally. However, we as Americans do not hold children legally accountable for the actions of their parents. For example, when parents are pulled over for speeding they receive the ticket—not their childen sitting in the backseat.

Since September, I have worked with a number of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to develop a solution that would fix DACA, improve border security, end chain migration, rework the Diversity Visa Program, and address several other immigration issues that are in need of reform. Let's solve the whole problem, not just part of the problem.

There are a number of people working on this issue, and the House and Senate separately have offered a number of plans to move forward. Yesterday, the White House released its proposal that covers the four agreed-upon areas of immigration that need to be addressed: border security, chain migration, the diversity visa lottery, and a permanent solution for DACA. To become law, the House, Senate, and White House must agree on the proposal. In the Senate, at least 60 Senators must support any proposal for it to pass.

CLICK HERE to watch my recent floor speech on the need to fix DACA and improve our nation's border security. 

Religious Freedom Updates

From the Department of Health and Human Services:

Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to enforce existing laws to protect the rights of conscience and religious freedom at HHS. 

Healthcare providers who are Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Orthodox Jew, or any other faith deserve the right to provide medical care without violating their deeply held religious beliefs. I applaud the agency's steps to protect Americans' First Amendment rights, but Congress should also take steps to put into law the Conscience Protection Act, which I introduced, to further codify protections into law and ensure that every individual has a legal remedy to defend his or her constitutional rights.

CLICK HERE to read more about HHS's announcement. CLICK HERE to read about the Conscience Protection Act. CLICK HERE to read my opinion piece in TIME Magazine on religious liberty. 

From the US State Department: 

Earlier this year, the State Department released its designation of "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC) report. The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the annual designation of Countries of Particular Concern, which are nations that have "engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

This important report is a stark reminder that many people in our world do not enjoy basic human rights such as the freedom to exercise a faith of their choosing without fear of persecution. On Wednesday, the Senate finally confirmed the administration's nominee to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback. We need a strong diplomatic advocate in the State Department working to protect and advance religious freedom and human rights for all people. 

CLICK HERE to read my full statement on the State Department's CPC report. CLICK HERE to read my statement on the confirmation of Sam Brownback.  

Oklahomans' Nominations Update

Last year, the administration nominated Judge Charles Goodwin to serve on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Congressman Jim Bridenstine to head NASA. The nominations of these Oklahomans were not confirmed by the end of 2017. Earlier this year, both candidates were re-nominated. 

Last week, Congressman Bridenstine was confirmed by committee and now awaits approval from the full Senate. Judge Goodwin was also approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday and now awaits confirmation from the full Senate. This is not a short process. As they wait to clear the final hurdles of the confirmation process, I continue to support both of their nominations, and I am grateful for their service to Oklahoma and our nation. 

On Friday Scott Palk will be formally invested as a federal judge in the Western District of Oklahoma. Judge Palk is already hard at work serving and presiding over court proceedings for the people of Western Oklahoma. I know his colleagues and those seeking judicial resolution are glad to have him on the bench. 

March for Life

Last Friday, I joined thousands of Americans in Washington, DC, to march for the sanctity of human life at the 45th annual March for Life. The march falls annually near the anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade. I continue to hope that our culture will embrace the belief it was founded upon as stated in our Declaration of Independence: "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Last week, I gave a speech on the Senate floor with a few of my Senate colleagues on our duty to protect life from conception to natural death. The discussion about life is one that is personal. Even in this hard conversation, I think we can find some common ground when it comes to ending elective late-term abortions. The US is one of four countries that still allows elective abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy. These countries include the US, Vietnam, North Korea, and China. This is not the group the US should be part of, which is why I introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act to prevent elective abortions after five months of pregnancy when a child is viable and can feel pain. On Monday, the Senate will vote on this very important legislation. 

CLICK HERE to watch my speech or read the transcript. 

Keeping You in the Loop

• Investing in employees: Oklahomans are already seeing the benefits of the historic tax reform bill signed into law in December. As a result of the tax plan, AAON in Tulsa announced $1,000 bonuses for employees; Elmer Smith Oil Company in Clinton announced paid bonuses to more than 300 of their employees; and Express Employment Professionals in OKC announced a $2,000 bonus to more than 200 non-executive employees. Oklahomans will continue to benefit from having more of their hard-earned money. 
• I'd like to e-introduce you to one of our newest team members, Tanner Roberts. Tanner recently graduated from Oklahoma State University and will serve as the NW field representative for my office. If you live in NW Oklahoma and need to get hold of me, please reach out to Tanner at Tanner_Roberts@Lankford.Senate.gov. CLICK HERE for more information. 
• On January 15, 2018, our nation celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 4, 2018, will mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination. As we remember and honor Dr. King this year, let's also honor one another by respectfully engaging with people who are different than we are. CLICK HERE to read an opinion piece I wrote. CLICK HERE to watch my floor speech in honor of MLK Day.
• Earlier this month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) revised its Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide to allow houses of worship to apply for aid related to disasters declared after August 23, 2017. I applaud FEMA's decision because faith-based nonprofits and houses of worship play a critical role in assisting those in need during times of disaster. To read my full statement, CLICK HERE. 
• This week, Congress formally recognized January 21 through January 27, 2018, as National School Choice Week. All children deserve to have the opportunity to access the best education, and that decision should not be determined by their zip codes. This is why I joined my colleagues to recognize that providing diverse choices in K-12 education empowers parents to choose the education best suited for their children. 
• In December, I, along with Senators Klobuchar, Harris, Collins, Heinrich, and Graham, introduced the Secure Elections Act to strengthen election cybersecurity in America and protect against foreign interference in future elections. Safe and free elections run by each state are at the core of our nation's identity. During the 2016 elections, Russia tried to interfere. Although their actions didn't change the outcome, they still tried to attack our democracy. We must stop this in future elections. To read more, CLICK HERE. 
• On January 17, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, on which I serve, held a hearing entitled "Unintended Consequences: Medicaid and the Opioid Epidemic." The nation's growing opioid epidemic continues to be an issue that everyone needs to be aware of. We can all take steps to stop opioid abuse and drug overdoses. CLICK HERE to view the video from the hearing. 
• Our world still suffers from modern-day slavery. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. You can familiarize yourself on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking in your community. CLICK HERE to read more.
• On January 30, President Trump will give his first State of the Union address. For updates from my office on his speech, please check my website or social media. For social media, you can find me @SenatorLankford on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Stay Connected! 

If you would like more information on these topics or any other legislation currently before the US Senate, please do not hesitate to call my DC office at (202) 224-5754. My Oklahoma City office can be reached at (405) 231-4941 and my Tulsa office at (918) 581-7651. You can also follow me on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram for updates on my work in Congress.

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