Sen. James Lankford

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released a statement and video in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night.

“Families in Oklahoma have been harmed by the policies and politics of the last seven years. Washington has become more partisan, our economic growth has become more anemic, and federal regulations have dramatically increased, controlling more of our everyday lives,” Lankford said.

“I did appreciate the President’s praise of our troops, and acknowledgement that we have the strongest military in the world. I also agree with the President that we can one day conquer cancer. This is a big vision that America should pursue; we all have someone who has walked the long journey through chemotherapy.

“Over the past four quarters, the economy has grown at a sluggish 2.1 percent, which is directly attributable to the President’s policies of debt, burdensome regulations, and higher taxes.

“National security is a major concern for many Americans, because they feel more unsafe now than when Obama became President. The rise of ISIL is a consequence of an inconsistent foreign policy.

“President Obama presented an alternate reality of a growing economy and a declining terrorist threat. Most Oklahomans do not share the President’s rosy optimism on the biggest issues of our day. While the President defended his flawed nuclear deal with Iran, 10 American sailors were being held by Iran. His lack of outrage and call for their immediate return was noticeably absent.

“Republicans in Congress have pursued debt reduction, education reform, and health care alternatives to Obamacare, as well as policies to grow the economy. I look forward to a time when we can have a willing partner in the White House, to listen to the American people and pass legislation to restore the American dream.”

“At this moment, we have 10 of our sailors that are being held by the Iranians right now. The President completely skipped over that, he just talked about his nuclear deal but didn’t talk about all the provocative acts that are happening by Iran in the Middle East,” Lankford said in the video – a significant point for Obama as Commander in Chief.