Oklahoma GOP director says Lankford censure not ‘legitimate’

The Oklahoma Republican Party (OKGOP) executive director said Tuesday that the party’s recent resolution to censure Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) for his role in the Senate’s border security negotiations was conducted in an illegal session. He claimed that it had been given to him.

OKGOP Executive Director Stan Stevens told The Hill the vote to censure Lankford took place during Saturday’s state committee meeting called by party Vice Chairman Wayne Hill.

OKGOP Chairman Nathan Dahm was not present at the meeting, and he said he was “not aware” that the meeting was “legal” and that he, along with other committee members, provided “appropriate notice.” He claimed that he had not received it.

“We do not accept Sen. Lankford’s accusation.” [or] We do not consider this meeting to be legitimate and therefore prohibit any other actions taken at this meeting,” Stevens added.

The Hill has reached out to Dahm, Hill and Lankford for further comment.

The censure vote was announced Saturday night, with Republican state lawmakers I have posted a copy of the resolution.In it, Lankford said he is “pacing with Democrats on border policy, which not only disenfranchises legal immigrants seeking citizenship, but also puts the safety and security of the American people at great risk.” said.

It also accused Lankford of violating his oath to the Constitution and called on him to “cease conduct that endangers the safety and freedom of the people of Oklahoma and end negotiations.”

In Saturday’s blog post, hill said 172 The meeting was attended by “active Republicans,” and 124 voting members of the state board approved the resolution.

Two days later, the OKGOP issued a statement He said that none of the actions taken during the meeting represented “the OKGOP’s official position” and advised the media to refrain from reporting them as “official actions.”

“The meeting held by some Republicans on January 27 was an illegal meeting. Proper notice was not provided to all members of the state committee meeting,” the statement said.

Pressed about the apparent disagreements among the OKGOP leadership, Stevens said, “A lot of the divisions are within the party over leadership.”

“I…the official Republican leadership… [Dahm] It is believed that Senator Lankford is engaged in negotiations. No bill. There is no language. So we don’t know exactly what the outcome of the negotiations will be,” Stevens said.

Lankford has become the Republican’s chief negotiator as senators spend weeks trying to finalize a border and immigration policy deal to deal with the influx of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. There is. The border talks are also tied to President Biden’s request for about $60 billion in aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Lankford spoke on “Fox News Sunday” Sunday about the border negotiations and the pushback from colleagues.

“Interestingly, four months ago, Republicans demanded a change in policy, so they defunded Ukraine, Israel, and the southern border. So we actually folded our arms and said, ‘This “We want the law changed,” he said.

“And the funny thing is, a few months later, when it finally comes to an end, they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m kidding, but actually, it’s an election year and we don’t want to change the law,'” he continued. Ta.

Lankford accused the opposition of not yet reading the bill and pointed to “misinformation and internet rumors.”