Republican Criticizes Senate Lawmakers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is calling for a return to traditional lawmaking in the U.S. Senate, criticizing the current trend of performative politics and social media posturing that does little to improve the lives of everyday Americans.
In a Sunday interview on NewsNation’s The Hill, Lankford emphasized that the Senate should be a serious, deliberative body focused on producing real results—not just viral headlines. He urged fellow lawmakers to put in the “grunt work” of bipartisan collaboration and legislative follow-through.
“The Senate ought to be a place where real debates happen, ideas are tested, and solutions become law,” Lankford said. “That takes real effort—going one senator at a time, finding common ground, and building support.”
Lankford didn’t mince words about how far the institution has drifted. He warned that lawmakers have grown lazy, often satisfied with a flashy tweet announcing a bill’s introduction, rather than doing the behind-the-scenes work to see it passed and signed into law.
“Filing a bill doesn’t solve the problem,” he said. “It may earn you clicks, but it doesn’t help Americans. The muscle memory of governing has faded—we’ve got to rebuild it.”
The Oklahoma Republican, known for his calm yet firm leadership, has long advocated for meaningful reform over media theatrics. During President Biden’s time in office, Lankford gained national attention for working across the aisle on an immigration proposal that took a tough-but-fair approach—earning Democratic support for conservative ideas. That deal ultimately collapsed after reports surfaced that then-candidate Donald Trump encouraged GOP lawmakers to block what would’ve been seen as a “win” for Biden.
Now, with President Trump back in office and focused on restoring American strength at home and abroad, Lankford is doubling down on his legislative mission.
He appeared on the program to promote his new book, Turnaround: America’s Revival, which dives deep into the gridlock in Washington, failed immigration reform, and how to get Congress working again.
“We can’t fix the border crisis, rein in spending, or protect our freedoms with tweets and press releases. We’ve got to legislate again—and that means rolling up our sleeves,” Lankford added.
For Americans tired of broken promises and political theater, Lankford’s message is a breath of fresh air: Less talk. More action. Real solutions.
