James Lankford in 2014 OK Senate debate

On Health Care: Predicts that ObamaCare will destroy the health-care system

In Congress, Lankford fights presidential overreach, including Obama's frequent use of executive orders, from the Legislature. Shannon assails federal interference with legislative state prerogatives and authority. Shannon may position himself as the more conservative and point to Lankford's support for increases in the federal debt limit to bolster his case, but he has more than once had allies "whip" reluctant Republicans into toeing a party line. Lankford has worked with his House leader, but he's the author of a "shutdown prevention" act aimed at future shutdown fights--combining an initial freeze on spending with 1 percent spending reductions every 90 days until a continuing resolution is negotiated.