Skip to content
Hill Policy
U.S. SENATE

James Lankford

RepublicanOklahomaCurrently serving

Sworn into the Senate on Source ↗

What they said 11

Their stated policy positions and commitments, with quotes and links to the original sources.

All statements (11)Campaign (6)In office (4)Unresolved period (1)
Campaign position · Original date not established
Energy & environment

Supports expanding domestic oil and gas supply

AI-assisted summary

Lankford argued that increasing the supply of gas was needed to bring prices down. He criticized restrictions on building new pipelines and obtaining permits for federal lands and waters, saying they make it harder to increase supply. He said prices could fall to $4 or $3.50 as supply grows, but did not specify a policy or timeline for changing those restrictions.

Context: The source does not specify what changes Lankford supports to pipeline or federal-land permitting rules.

Campaign position · Original date not established
Immigration

Would restore case-by-case limits on immigration parole

AI-assisted summary

James Lankford and 15 other Republican senators called for reforming the administration’s use of parole so decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, consistent with what they described as Congress’s original intent. They opposed using parole for people already present in the United States and said the authority should not be used to bypass screening, refugee processing, or immigration law.

Context: This position appeared in a June 21, 2024, joint letter signed by Lankford and 15 other senators.

Campaign position · Original date not established
ImmigrationForeign affairs & defense

Calls for efforts to secure the border against cartels and adversaries

AI-assisted summary

Lankford and 15 other Republican senators called on President Biden to focus his efforts on securing the border against cartels and adversaries. The letter described a porous border as a national security threat.

Context: This was a joint call to President Biden; the letter excerpt does not specify particular border-security measures.

Campaign position · Original date not established
Immigration

Opposes parole-based amnesty for immigrants in the country unlawfully

AI-assisted summary

Lankford and 15 other Republican senators opposed the Biden administration’s proposal to let about 550,000 immigrants who are unlawfully present, most married to U.S. citizens, become citizens after being paroled. Their letter argued that parole was not intended for mass amnesty and that the proposal conflicted with laws passed by Congress.

Context: This was a position expressed jointly with 15 other senators in a letter to President Biden.

Campaign position · Original date not established
VeteransHealthcare

Opposes VA-provided abortions

AI-assisted summary

James Lankford opposes the Department of Veterans Affairs offering abortions. He argues that federal law has barred the VA from providing them for 30 years.

Context: The quoted statement does not specify whether his opposition applies to any particular circumstances or exceptions.

Campaign position · Original date not established
Economy, taxes & workEnergy & environment

Opposes a gas tax holiday

AI-assisted summary

James Lankford opposed President Biden’s proposed three-month suspension of federal and state gasoline taxes, which would cut the tax by 18 cents per gallon. He argued that the temporary reduction would raise the national debt by billions without addressing the underlying problem.

Context: The proposal was President Biden’s; the passage records Lankford’s opposition but does not describe a separate measure he proposed.

While serving · Original date not established
VeteransHealthcare

Improve early access to veterans’ mental health care

AI-assisted summary

Lankford supports addressing veterans’ mental health needs swiftly and effectively, especially when they may experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm. He emphasizes responding early and recognizes that veterans need care for mental and behavioral health as well as physical health.

Context: Original statement date not established. Source collected on November 11, 2026.

While serving · Original date not established
VeteransHealthcare

Expand veterans’ access to local health care choices

AI-assisted summary

Lankford supports giving veterans health care choices that let them see doctors and medical professionals suited to their needs without driving long distances. He also says veterans’ families should have resources to care for loved ones and help them navigate decisions about care.

Context: Original statement date not established. Source collected on November 11, 2026.

While serving · Original date not established
Economy, taxes & work

Supports the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax changes

AI-assisted summary

Lankford supports the tax changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including the increased child tax credit, doubled standard deduction, and Qualified Business Deduction. He argues that lower taxes let people keep, spend, or save more of their money and says the changes have had a positive effect. He says more work remains on the tax code while urging continued support for the economic approach.

Context: Original statement date not established. Source collected on November 11, 2026.

Date / period not established · Original date not established
Energy & environmentEconomy, taxes & work

Opposes raising oil and gas prices to push a shift to other energy sources

AI-assisted summary

James Lankford opposes using higher oil and gas prices to push people toward different energy sources. He argued that this approach contributed to rising energy costs and inflation.

Context: This is a position stated in a 2022 interview about the Biden administration’s energy policies; no alternative policy mechanism is specified.