Senator Lankford calls for end to wasteful spending in first address as vice chair

January 9, 2025 Tabish Faraz

Senator James Lankford (R-OK), in his inaugural event on the Senate floor as the Republican Conference vice chair, sharply criticized what he described as wasteful government spending. Senator Lankford, also a founding member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, used his platform to advocate for more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Yesterday as Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, I hosted the first messaging hour floor event of the new Congress. We focused on DOGE and cutting wasteful spending. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m happy that a group of my colleagues are passionate about this as… pic.twitter.com/jffYiFtEWu
— Sen. James Lankford (@SenatorLankford) January 9, 2025

During his speech, the senator highlighted several examples of what he considers misallocated federal funds:

Drag Show in Ecuador: He questioned why American taxes funded such an event, arguing that local entertainment should not be subsidized by US taxpayers.
Helmet Study in Ghana: He pointed out a study on bicycle helmets in Ghana, suggesting the conclusion was self-evident and should not have required federal funding.
Climate Change Study in Sierra Leone: He expressed confusion over why Oklahomans were funding research on humans and chimpanzees in relation to climate change in Sierra Leone.

Sen. Lankford emphasized the annual “Federal Fumbles” report he publishes, which aims to shed light on these inefficiencies. He stated that the report has led to the cessation of funding for various projects once they are brought to public attention. Examples from past reports include studies on the Russian wine industry and funding for 3-D puppets, which have since been discontinued.

The senator called for systemic changes to address government inefficiencies:

Eliminating Duplication: Lankford suggested that if government functions are duplicated, these should be identified and removed.
Revising Tax Regulations: He advocated for simplifying or removing regulations that hinder economic growth.
Streamlining Permitting: Proposing reforms to ensure that government permitting does not stifle but rather supports economic development.
Reassessing Agency Waste: Highlighting the need to address waste within federal agencies, including the maintenance of empty federal buildings.
Decentralizing Federal Projects: He argued that certain projects might be more appropriately managed at the state or local level rather than federally.

Senator Lankford concluded his remarks by expressing optimism that with the support of colleagues who share his passion for government efficiency, significant improvements could be made. He stressed that efficiency should not be a partisan issue but a common goal for all senators, aiming to ensure that every dollar spent is justified and beneficial to American taxpayers.

This event marks a significant moment for Senator Lankford as he uses his new position to influence policy towards more accountable and transparent government spending.

Watch Senator Lankford’s address below.