Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Senate Confirmation of Scott Palk to Oklahoma Federal Court

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate for finally confirming Scott Palk, by a vote of 79-16, to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Palk was first nominated by President Obama in December 2015 but never received a vote during the last session of Congress. President Trump renominated Palk in May of this year. 

Before the vote, Senator Lankford delivered a floor speech in support of Scott Palk, and also issued this statement after his confirmation:

“I’m pleased that the Senate has finally confirmed Scott Palk to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma,” said Lankford. “Scott’s years of work in Oklahoma make him exceptionally qualified to serve as one of Oklahoma’s federal judges. He is a man of principle and has deep respect for the rule of law. I urge the Senate to move quickly to fill the remaining judicial vacancies across the country.”

“Scott Palk’s bipartisan confirmation today is a clear testament to his honesty, integrity, and commitment to fairly applying the law,” said Inhofe. “I am confident that he will serve Oklahoma well as a principled jurist who will uphold the Constitution, and am pleased he was confirmed by the Senate today.” 

Scott L. Palk has served as the Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant General Counsel at the University of Oklahoma College of Law since 2011. In addition to overseeing admissions and providing legal counsel, Palk serves as a consultant to the University’s Threat Assessment Review Committee, advising in areas of criminal threat assessment and legal access. From 2002 to 2011, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma, where he held a number of managerial roles beginning in 2004, including Deputy Criminal Chief and Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator. Prior to joining the US Attorney’s Office, Palk served as an Assistant District Attorney for Cleveland County in Norman, Oklahoma from 1992 to 2002, where he served as the First Assistant District Attorney from 1999 to 2002. Palk received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992 and his B.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1989.

###