Lankford Opposes Massive $1.2 Trillion “Infrastructure” Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose the massive $1.2 trillion tax-and-spend spree masquerading as an “infrastructure” bill. Lankford has consistently raised his concerns with the overspending in this bill and the proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation the Senate will move to later today. Lankford raised a budget point of order before final passage of the “infrastructure” bill to make the case that this bill will add billions to the debt and is paid for with budget gimmicks.

“Infrastructure and debt should not be partisan issues. This bill is the first step toward the Green New Deal, and it adds billions to our national debt on top of last year’s emergency COVID spending,” said Lankford. “Infrastructure is important, but it’s not a crisis. The better infrastructure policy would prioritize building the multitude of projects we can pay for without additional debt. I cannot support this bill.”

Lankford’s amendment to require federal contractors and subcontractors receiving federal funds to use the E-Verifysystem to only hire Americans was blocked by Senate Democrats, despite the “America first” push of the bill. Lankford also introduced an amendment that would strike language from the bill to redefine “sex” in civil rights law, which is completely unrelated to an infrastructure bill.

During debate, Lankford broke down the debt and deficit spending into simpler terms. He said that one million seconds is about 11 and a half weeks. One billion seconds is 31 and a half years. One trillion seconds is 31,688 years. Lankford also participated in a press conference with Senate Republicans to discuss the reckless tax and spending spree that will add to inflation, which is already starting to impact Oklahomans, especially those on a fixed income.

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