Sen. Deevers introduces 6 bills to 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again'

Deevers Introduces the Six-Bill Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, announced on Thursday the filing of six bills to Make Oklahoma Healthy Again. In tandem with the MAHA agenda of President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Deevers introduced SB943, SB702, SB771, SB801, SB941, and SJR8.

“The MAHA agenda is one of the most positive developments in American politics and has a clear mandate from the voters,” Deevers said. “These bills aim to improve the health of Oklahomans by increasing quality, transparency, accountability, decentralization, and freedom in health and medical care.”

Lankford receives commitment on Military Religious Accommodation Requests for C-19 vax mandate

Lankford Receives Commitment on Military Religious Accommodation Requests for COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate from DOD Secretary, Lifts Holds on DOD Noms

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Dec. 23rd) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced a huge victory he secured to protect the right of religious liberty for our heroes in the Armed Forces. After receiving a commitment from the Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin that all members who had requested a religious accommodation from the COVID-19 vaccine who have been waiting on a response, will now get the answers they have been waiting for and be allowed to return to their duties. 

Lankford secures end to C19-Vax mandate for military, funding for Tulsa VA in Defense Bill

Lankford Secures an End to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Military Members, Funding for Tulsa VA Construction in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Among many priorities secured for Oklahoma’s military installations, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today highlighted two major overall wins for Oklahoma service members and veterans and for the nation in the Fiscal Year 2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (FY23 NDAA), otherwise known as the “defense bill.” Lankford secured language to roll back the existing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military service members in all branches of service. 

Stitt, leaders clarify OK kids not required to get COVID vax to attend public school

GOVERNOR STITT, COMMISSIONER REED CLARIFY KIDS IN OKLAHOMA NOT REQUIRED TO GET COVID VACCINE TO ATTEND SCHOOL

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct.20, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved adding the COVID-19 vaccine to childhood immunization schedules.

“Regardless of what the CDC in Washington says, nothing changes in Oklahoma and kids are not required to get a COVID vaccine to attend school,” said Governor Stitt. “It’s up to parents to decide how to protect their child from viruses and as long as I am governor, we will never force kids to get a COVID vaccine to go to school.”

Jett encourages Oklahomans to voice support of bill prohibiting vax mandates and passports

Jett encourages Oklahomans to voice support of bill prohibiting vaccine mandates and passports

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 20th) – With just days left in the legislative session, Sen. Shane Jett has amended House Bill 2335 to restrict state agencies from imposing vaccine mandates and requiring vaccine passports. The Shawnee Republican is encouraging Oklahomans to call their local senators and share their support of the legislation and ask that it be approved immediately. A list of state Senators is available at http://www.oklegislature.gov.   

Lankford, Cruz introduce bill to defend unvaxxed service members from punishment

Lankford, Cruz, Colleagues Defend Service Members from Vaccine Punishment

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and 12 of their colleagues to introduce the Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots (AMERICANS) Act of 2022. The bill counters the Biden Administration’s efforts to coerce and punish service members who decline the COVID-19 vaccine and introduces accountability measures in response to DOD efforts to undermine transparency.

Lankford: "clear that DOD leaders are ignoring sincerely-held religious beliefs of service members" in vax mandate

Lankford Calls for Audit of Defense Department’s Failure to Provide Religious Accommodations for the COVID-19 Vaccine

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the Acting Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General Sean O’Donnell to ask him to audit DOD’s process for reviewing religious accommodation requests for the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Lankford previously sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding to know why, despite 19,979 known requests for religious accommodations from the COVID-19 vaccine, the Department has granted nearly zero requests for religious accommodations among the service branches. The letter requested a response by February 1, and to date, his office has not received a response.

Lankford wants answers on Biden’s plan for database of federal employees’ religious beliefs

Lankford, Colleagues Want Answers on Biden’s Plan for a Database of Federal Employees’ Religious Beliefs

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and 40 of their colleagues in a letter to the Comptroller General of the United States after the District of Columbia’s Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) published a notice of its intent to create a database known as the “Employee Religious Exception Request Information System.” The Members ask GAO to tell them whether the notice constitutes a rule for purposes of the Congressional Review Act, which Congress can invoke to overturn an agency’s action.

The records system is a central database, maintained by the Office of Management and Budget, that tracks the names, religious affiliation, religious beliefs, personally identifying information and other data of federal employees who have requested religious exemptions to the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on federal employees. More than 20 federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation, have issued similar notices to maintain databases tracking employees’ religious beliefs, and these lists will be shared between federal agencies.

Lankford cries foul over Defense Department granting nearly ZERO religious liberty accomodations for C-19 vax

Lankford Outraged That Defense Department Has Granted Nearly ZERO Religious Accommodations for COVID-19 Vaccine

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 25th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding to know why, despite 19,979 known requests for religious accommodations from the COVID-19 vaccine, the Department has granted nearly zero requests for religious accommodations among the service branches. The US Marines reportedly have two religious accommodations—out of 3,367 requests.

In his letter, Lankford wrote that according to information his office obtained: the US Army has received 2,128 requests for religious accommodations, the US Navy has received 3,791 requests for religious accommodations; and the US Air Force has received 10,693 requests for religious accommodations. None have been granted.

“It is alarming that the Department is so blatantly disregarding the free exercise of religion that is guaranteed to our military service members, both through the First Amendment and through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) (42 U.S.C. Sec 2000bb-1). Congress chose to apply RFRA to the military, and the military remains accountable to Congress for adhering to this law,” wrote Lankford in the letter.

OCPA: Workers, employers win with vax-mandate ruling

Workers, employers win with vax-mandate ruling

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma’s workers and their employers alike won an important victory when the U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the Biden administration’s COVID-vaccine mandate for private businesses. That mandate clearly exceeded the government’s authority, opened the door for further abuses of power, and would have had a significant negative impact on the labor supply.

The case also shows what happens when one man has courage. Brandon Trosclair, a Louisiana business owner, joined with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy (a think tank similar to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs) to lead the charge against the Biden mandate in court.

Trosclair employs nearly 500 people across 15 grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi that conduct business under the names Ralph’s Market, Butcher Boy, and Save A Lot. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations imposed by the Biden administration, all employees of businesses with 100 or more staff members–an estimated 80 million private-sector workers–would have been required to be vaccinated or tested weekly and wear a mask as a condition of employment. Businesses that failed to comply faced fines up to $136,532. Yet Trosclair chose to stand up for his workers and oppose the mandate in court.

There were sound practical reasons to oppose the mandate. Businesses already face a labor shortage that would have been exacerbated by the mandate since many workers were expected to quit jobs to avoid the vaccine.

But there were also crucial philosophical reasons to oppose the mandate. Trosclair told OCPA that the decision to vaccinate (or not) is an individual employee’s decision, not their employer’s decision “and it’s not the federal government’s decision.”

Members of Oklahoma delegation write Biden over withholding Nat'l Guard paychecks

Bice, Members of Oklahoma Delegation, Send Letter Opposing Withholding National Guard Paychecks 

Washington, D.C. – Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) today led a letter to President Biden and Secretary of Defense Austin expressing concern over their intent to withhold the pay of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen who decline the COVID-19 vaccine. She was joined by Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford, as well as Representatives Kevin Hern (OK-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) and Frank Lucas (OK-03). 

The members wrote: “We believe that threatening the compensation of our Guardsmen serving in uniform is unfair. What’s worse, this threat to servicemember paychecks comes right before the holidays, and in the midst of the highest levels of inflation our nation has seen in decades. It’s one thing to threaten state governments, but it’s another thing entirely to threaten the paychecks of our nation’s brave servicemembers.” 

Long-Term Care group praises Stitt for opposing federal vax mandate

Care Providers Oklahoma Praises Gov. Stitt, AG O’Connor for Opposing Federal Vaccine Mandate on Health Care Workers

OKLAHOMA CITY – After a Capitol press conference today where Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General John O’Connor touted Oklahoma’s opposition to federal vaccine mandates, Care Providers Oklahoma President and CEO Steven Buck praised the governor and the AG for mounting a strong legal challenge against mandates that would exacerbate the current health care workforce crisis. 

“The focus of our association is to help our members provide vulnerable Oklahomans with excellent care and the best quality of life in the safest environments possible,” said Buck. “At the forefront of that mission is the ability of every skilled nursing facility to field a well-trained and dedicated staff, a task that was difficult heading into the pandemic and has only intensified as it progressed.  Federal vaccine mandates, however well-intentioned, can make finding qualified staff impossible and will negatively impact senior health by forcing providers to stop taking new admissions and, in the direst circumstances, forcing them to close their doors. As I’ve been sharing for weeks, our buildings cannot afford to lose a single team member, and this federal vaccine mandate threatens our ability to provide the most basic of care. We appreciate Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General John O’Connor for recognizing the real-world impact of this onerous federal mandate and mounting an aggressive legal challenge."

Buck said the association and individual facilities, while opposing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed vaccine mandate on health care workers (especially since CMS did not offer an alternative pathway for employees, such as more frequent testing), are working hard to get as many residents and employees voluntarily vaccinated as possible. 

Oklahoma suing Biden admin over Nat'l Guard vax mandate

GOVERNOR STITT, ATTORNEY GENERAL O’CONNOR SUE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OVER NATIONAL GUARD VACCINE MANDATE

Stitt: “It is unconscionable that Biden is choosing to play politics with military paychecks.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2, 2021) – Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement regarding a federal lawsuit filed today to prohibit the Biden administration from punishing members of the Oklahoma National Guard for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 while in Title 32 status:

“The U.S. Constitution, the Oklahoma Constitution, and U.S. Code Title 32 are all clear: as governor, I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard.

“Therefore, unless mobilized by the President of the United States under U.S. Code Title10, I retain the authority for all training and governance of the Oklahoma National Guard – including determining if and how training guidelines issued by the president will be implemented.

“This week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declared his intention to proceed with unconstitutional punishment that individually targets Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen, including withholding their pay.

“It is unconscionable that President Biden and his administration are choosing to play politics with military paychecks, especially amid the highest inflation rate in 30 years and so close to the holiday season.

“Threatening the pay of National Guard members is manifestly unlawful and unfair, as unvaccinated active-duty personnel do not have their pay withheld.

“Further, it is hypocritical that Secretary Austin addresses the importance of medical readiness in his letter but fails to mention that unlike active-duty personnel, National Guard members are not provided health care and must purchase it themselves. If medical readiness is truly that high of a priority to the Department of Defense, it should provide health care for all National Guard Soldiers and Airmen like it does for active duty service members.

“I will continue fighting to protect Oklahoma against this alarming pattern of unconstitutional federal overreach coming from the Biden administration.”

Attorney General O'Connor Sues Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Military and Federal Employees

OKLAHOMA CITY - Today, the State of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration to stop its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for federal employees and the National Guard.  The Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General has asked a federal court to grant a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or preliminary injunction followed by a permanent injunction, preventing the Biden Administration from enforcing the vaccine mandate.

Additionally, the lawsuit asks the Court to block the Biden Administration from withholding federal funding from the Oklahoma National Guard or its Guard members.  Finally, our office asks the Court to declare the mandate unconstitutional on multiple grounds.

“Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ensures that many Oklahoma National Guard members will simply quit instead of getting a vaccine, a situation that will irreparably harm Oklahomans’ safety and security,” said Attorney General John O’Connor.  “These patriots, along with many federal employees, who serve their country and their state are now at risk of being terminated because they do not wish to take the vaccine.”

State House GOP calls for special session on overreaching federal vaccine mandates

House Republicans support special session on overreaching federal vaccine mandates

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Republicans support convening a special session to pass legislation addressing federal vaccine mandates facing court injunctions due to major constitutional concerns.

"President Biden's unconstitutional vaccine mandates are already under court injunctions secured by House Bill 1236 legal challenges," said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. "The injunctions are positive developments, but they are not permanent protections for Oklahomans being forced to choose between their freedom or their jobs. Just as House Republicans led to enact House Bill 1236, we stand ready at any time to fight overreaching federal vaccine mandates via legislation in a special session. House Republicans support securing freedom for Oklahomans immediately."

Through a lawsuit filed using the authority and funding granted by House Bill 1236 – coauthored by nearly all House Republicans – Attorney General John O'Connor secured a nationwide injunction Tuesday against attempted federal vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.

Lankford calls for vote to prohibit National Guard pay cuts or discharge over vaccination status

Lankford Stands with National Guard, Opposes Pay Cuts Over Vaccine Mandates

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today stood firmly with the Oklahoma National Guard and Guard members around the nation and called for a vote on the Senate floor to offer his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prohibit the Department of Defense from discharging or withholding pay or benefits from members of the National Guard because of their COVID–19 vaccination status.

Members and leaders of the Oklahoma National Guard have reached out to Lankford’s office to express their grave concerns as earlier this week Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released a memorandum to warn unvaccinated National Guard members that they will not be paid or allowed to participate in training, and deployments if they don’t receive a COVID-19 vaccine. While the Defense Secretary can establish readiness requirements, he lacks the constitutional or statutory authority to enforce this type of requirement on Soldiers and Airmen within a state when the National Guard are not federally “activated” or deployed in defense of the nation. That power and authority regarding the Oklahoma National Guard is reserved to Governor Stitt at this time. Lankford’s amendment ensures Congress clearly maintains that important distinction with regard to the COVID-19 vaccination status.

Lankford has been vocal about President Biden’s Executive Order. Lankford introduced the COVID-19 Vaccine Dishonorable Discharge Prevention Act with Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) to prohibit the Department of Defense from giving service members a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lankford sent a letter to President Biden outlining his concerns with the vaccine mandates and has stood firmly with Oklahoma service members, health care workers, federal employees, and private-sector workers who have chosen so far not to be vaccinated. Lankford called out President Biden and Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for not responding to a letter he sent in September calling on Austin to protect service members from being forced to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs and serving in our nation’s military or National Guard.

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OK Senate Pro Tem Treat encouraged by court win against Biden vax mandates

Senate leader encouraged by Oklahoma’s court win against Biden vaccine mandates

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, on Wednesday said he is encouraged by Oklahoma’s recent court victory in challenging the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates.

Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor’s and 11 other state attorneys general in November challenged the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. On Tuesday, a federal court granted an injunction putting a hold on the vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Gov Stitt, AG O'Connor praise injunction for healthcare worker vax mandate

Attorney General O'Connor Applauds Nationwide Vaccine Mandate Injunction

OKLAHOMA CITY - In a major victory for our healthcare heroes, a federal court granted the State of Oklahoma's request to stop the Biden Administration’s attempt to force COVID-19 vaccines on healthcare workers nationwide. 

“This is a major win for the medical freedom of Oklahoma’s healthcare heroes who have fearlessly braved the pandemic to keep the rest of us healthy,” said Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.

On November 15, Attorney General O’Connor and 11 other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to stop the Biden administration’s overreaching “job or jab” COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) exceeded its statutory authority, the Court included. CMS also violated multiple federal laws, the Spending Clause, the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, and the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to the Courts.

GOVERNOR STITT PRAISES NATIONWIDE VACCINE MANDATE INJUNCTION

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 30, 2021) – Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement after a U.S. District Court granted a nationwide injunction against the Biden Administration and prevented the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from requiring healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

State Rep. Gann files bill to end forced EUA vaccinations

Oklahoma Official Files Plan to End Forced EUA Vaccinations

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma State Representative filed legislation to end what he calls a "shocking abuse."

Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, has received numerous calls from concerned constituents who are being asked to take an emergency use authorization (EUA) drug as a condition of continued employment. The manufacturers of the EUA have been exempted from legal liability. While the Federal Drug Administration has approved a normal use authorization of the drug, it hasn't been made available; and there is little evidence that it will be made available at any point in the near future. Gann believes this is because the approved version of the drug would subject the drug makers to legal liability from injured Oklahomans.

"Following Oklahoma's successful, landmark opioid settlement against the drug makers, it's inconceivable that any employer would ask employees to subject themselves to an EUA injection from that same industry," Gann said.

Gann filed House Bill 1003X to end the abuse.

HB1003X, the “Liberty Bill,” duplicates an Illinois law that has been on the books in that state since 1998. That law prevents employers from discriminating against employees who resist forced drug injection.

Oklahoma files two lawsuits over Biden Admin's vaccine mandate

Lengthy post, or rather series of press releases, but Oklahoma Attorney General has filed two lawsuits over the Biden Administration's new vaccine mandate. One is aimed at the mandate's provisions for federal contractors, and the other is regarding private sector employees. I'm also including comments from Gov. Kevin Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall.

Attorney General O’Connor Files Lawsuit Against Biden Administration over Illegal Vaccine Mandates 

OKLAHOMA CITY - Today, the State of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration to stop its mandatory vaccination requirement for federal contractors.

“Biden’s vaccine mandates are a clear abuse of power. He does not have the authority to make healthcare decisions for Oklahomans,” Attorney General O’Connor said.

“It is sinister that Biden is threatening Oklahomans with the loss of their jobs if they do not surrender their personal rights and freedoms to the federal government. The President is using private employers to do his dirty work,” said General O’Connor.

OK Poll: Lankford leads with 62%, slim majority oppose gov't COVID mandates

Quarterly Poll Reveals Oklahoma Voters are More Concerned About COVID, More Negative About State Trajectory

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma-based public affairs firm Amber Integrated has released a recent survey measuring voter attitudes about elected leaders and other political issues and current events. The topline results are available here and the crosstabs are available here. This survey was conducted from September 29-October 3, 2021, and included a pool of 500 registered voters in Oklahoma. This survey has a margin of error of 4.38% at a 95% confidence interval. 

Key findings include: