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James Lankford on Principles & Values

 

 


Questioned 2020 election but after Jan. 6, certified Biden

In December 2020, incumbent Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford raised vague concerns about possible fraud in voting and in other states' vote-counting processes. In January 2021, Lankford cited "reports of problems with voting machines, people voting twice, non-residents voting in a state, or people mysteriously voting after their death months or years before"--though such issues were very rare and did not affect the outcome.

After a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Lankford abandoned his plan to object to the certification of Biden victories. But Lankford later continued to express doubts about the legitimacy of Biden's victory. He told CNN in July 2021: "Biden is the constitutional President. No question about that. Are there questions that are still hanging out there? Yes." When asked if those questions would have changed the outcome, he responded, "There is no way to know because we can't get a full answer to some of them. I just want all the questions answered."

Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 Oklahoma Senate race , Sep 15, 2022

A conservative committed to God, Family and the Constitution

James Lankford is a strong conservative and servant leader who is committed to God, Family and the Constitution. James has worked diligently, studying each issue and its direct impact on the family and people. While remaining passionate about life and traditional family values, James has become a strong voice for fiscal discipline and accountability in the federal government. He has emerged as a leader in fighting government regulations that are suffocating business and weakening the economy.

The most basic right to have a faith and to live by your faith is even facing renewed challenges.

Will you stand with me to pray for the future of our nation? We can and should work to make things better, but ultimately our nation is in God's hands. I am asking you to stand up, speak out, and push back. Not with anger, but with steadfast love. Love for our great nation. You will receive occasional action alerts to lift our nation, our elected officials, and each other up in prayer.

Source: 2021 Oklahoma Senate campaign website JamesLankford.com , Jun 21, 2021

The hope of the earth is not government, but God

We pray with you for our nation and the direction of our country. The hope of the earth is not government, but God. Government cannot fix families, restore a broken culture or heal the lonely isolation of so many individuals. Stronger families and stronger churches meet the needs of people far better than a strong government. In the days ahead, I pray our nation remembers and lives our national motto, In God We Trust.
Source: 2021 Oklahoma Senate campaign website JamesLankford.com , Jun 21, 2021

I don't hide my religion just because I got elected

Three deeply religious senators spoke about the interplay between religion and politics, and how their faith shaped their personal and political lives. Oklahoma Republican James Lankford received his masters in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1994, specializing in Biblical languages. Before running for the House in 2010, Lankford was the director of a Baptist youth camp in Oklahoma for 13 years. "It shouldn't be something that I hide just because I was elected," he said. "You can be who you chose to be. It's the joy of being an American."

The discussion followed the release of a Pew Research Center study about the changing religious landscape in America and how the public is becoming less religious. "This is a great dialogue to have," Lankford said, adding that people are uncomfortable or afraid to talk about religion.

Source: Rollcall.com, "How Religion Shaped 3 Senators" , Apr 26, 2016

Shariah law is major threat; Islam not like other religions

I am a Christian, and I hope that every person on earth finds the hope and peace that I have found in Christ. But I am also committed to a free society where individuals can choose any faith or no faith. I also believe that we must have zero tolerance against Islamic terrorism, eco-terrorism, or any other terrorism that seeks to threaten or attack us.

Shariah law is a major and real threat to the American way of life and our Constitutional Republic. Most Americans are unaware that Islam is NOT like other world religions; Fundamentalist Islam is a political, military, and religious system. Fundamentalist Islam cannot exist in any government other than its own Shariah system. Where Fundamentalist Islam exists, it works to take over governments throug subversion or violence.

I have personally led mission teams into Muslim areas in Europe that function independently under Shariah. I understand the issues and have seen the result. We cannot allow any area of the nation to function under Shariah.

Source: 2010 House campaign website, jameslankford.com, "Issues" , Aug 14, 2010

Council on American Islamic Relations is linked to terrorism

The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is under investigation and they should be watched closely by state and federal authorities. There is every suspicion that they are linked to terrorism in several ways. The FBI used them for training for years, but now they have pulled back from that relationship. I do not support CAIR or the CAIR agenda in any way, but I do support the right of individual Americans to speak, even if they are members of CAIR, since our Constitution is clear on our freedoms of speech and religion. But the right of individual Americans to speak does not mean that I have to meet with their organizations. I would not meet with CAIR.

Plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero are completely inappropriate. Such a mosque would stand as a symbol of conquest more than a symbol of peace. For more information about my views on the mosque, go to this interview with the Washington Times newspaper:

Source: 2010 House campaign website, jameslankford.com, "Issues" , Aug 14, 2010

Member of the Tea Party movement.

Lankford is a member the Tea Party movement

The Tea Party movement is a populist conservative social movement in the United States that emerged in 2009 through a series of locally and nationally coordinated protests. The protests were partially in response to several Federal laws: the stimulus package; te healthcare bill; and the TARP bailouts. The name `Tea Party` refers to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the source of the phrase, `No Taxation Without Representation.`

Source: Tea Party movement 10-Tea on Aug 11, 2010

Designate first weekend in May as Ten Commandments Weekend.

Lankford co-sponsored Resolution for Ten Commandments Weekend

Expressing support for designation of the first weekend of May as Ten Commandments Weekend to recognize the significant contributions the Ten Commandments have made in shaping the principles, institutions, and national character of the United States.

    Now, therefore, be it
  1. Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
  2. supports the designation of Ten Commandments Weekend;
  3. celebrates the significant role the Ten Commandments have played in the development of significant public and private institutions of the US; and
  4. encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had on the people and national character of the US.
Source: H.RES.211 11-HRes211 on Apr 7, 2011

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Lankford voted NAY blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.