Lankford Votes to Defund Vaccine Mandate

WASHINGTON, DC­—Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement on the third fiscal year 2022 continuing resolution to extend federal spending until March 11, 2022: 

“Since September, we have been fighting for Congress to actually do its job to fund the government the right way. Here we are—the middle of February—still trying to discuss funding the government for this fiscal year. It’s time for Congress to resolve the issues with the out–of–control spending and failed budget process. This continued chaos cannot continue. 

“For months I have been pushing back against Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandates. We have had several victories, but there is still more to do. This week, I pushed to stop the funding for the enforcement of Biden’s mandates. Oklahomans should not be forced to choose between their job and their health. This would have been another step to ensure we protect against Biden’s overreach into each family to force them to get the vaccine.”

Lankford sent a letter to his colleagues saying that he would not grant consent to expedite passage of the CR without a vote on the amendment to defund the enforcement of the Biden vaccine mandates. 

Earlier this month, Lankford asked the Court to stand against the presidential overreach in an amicus brief to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Feds for Medical Freedom v. Biden.  

The Senate voted on three amendments, which Lankford supported, prior to voting on the Continuing Resolution. In addition to the amendment to defund the enforcement of vaccine mandates, Lanford supported prohibiting the use of federal funding for schools and early childhood development facilities that enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates on children, and reforms to balance the budget in 10 years.   

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