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Republican (1854-present)

James Lankford

Before his service in Congress, James served students and families for more than 20 years in ministry, including 15 years as the Director of Student Ministry for the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma and Director of the Falls Creek Youth Camp, the largest youth camp in the United States, with more than 51,000 individuals attending each summer.

James and his staff enjoy serving people from all backgrounds across Oklahoma. As Ranking Member of the Government Operations and Border Management  Subcommittee, which covers border security, management, and operations; regulatory reform; and the federal workforce. He demands we have a secure, more fiscally responsible, and transparent federal government, and our nation remains the world leader. He believes that the federal government has an important role in our nation, but empowered families, individual people, and private businesses grow our economy and pass down our values.

Repeal & Replacement of Affordable Care Act:

  • Throughout this year, Congress is debating health care reforms that will provide a smooth transition from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to a better health care system and better coverage options for everyone. Senator Lankford believes Congress should replace the ACA with the goal in mind of doing no harm to current enrollees as the transition occurs. 
  • On March 6, 2017, House of Representative Republicans introduced the American Health Care Act, a bill to replace the ACA. You can read it for yourself at www.readthebill.gop. 
  • On May 4, 2017, the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act by a vote of 217-213 vote. CLICK HERE to read Speaker Paul Ryan's remarks after its passage. After House passage, the bill was sent to the Senate for further debate and consideration. 
  • On June 22, 2017, Senate Republican leadership released the first working draft of their healthcare reform bill. On July 13, 2017, Senate Republican leadership released a revised draft bill. CLICK HERE to read a summary of the draft bill. CLICK HERE to read Senator Lankford's statement on the revised bill. 
  • On July 25, the Senate began an open debate and amendment process for multiple healthcare reform bills. The Senate was unable to approve a bill to reform healthcare or repeal and replace Obamacare. CLICK HERE for a statement from Senator Lankford on this development. 
  • On September 13, 2017, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) unveiled legislation to reform health care, and replace the ACA. CLICK HERE to read about that bill. At this time, the Senate is debating the merits of this bill. 

  • PROBLEMS WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:

    • Along with skyrocketing costs, in many parts of the country, Americans will have only one choice of insurer when they sign up for coverage on the public exchange.
    • Oklahoma will see a rise of 76 percent with only one health insurer to offer plans through the federal exchange in 2017. In 2016, there was a 35 percent increase.
    • According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, average annual family health care premiums have increased $4,767 since 2009. 
    • One-Third of Counties will have just one Obamacare insurer by 2017. 
    • In 2018, approximately 45 percent of counties could have one or no insurer to choose from on the Obamacare exchanges.
    • Nationwide, health care premiums will increase by an average of 25 percent in 2017.
    • The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determined that as individuals’ income rises, ACA triggers higher taxes and lower insurance subsidies. The CBO predicts that by 2025, the ACA would cause employment to drop by the equivalent of 2 million full-time workers