Oklahoma’s rising star in the U.S. House

It hasn’t taken long for U.S. Rep. James Lankford to make an impression on fellow Republican members.

In April 2011, four months after taking office, Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, was chosen to give the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s weekly radio address. He continued to shine as chairman of a House subcommittee on intergovernmental relations and with his work in helping craft a federal highway bill.

This week his stock rose some more when he was elected chairman of the House Policy Committee, the No. 5 spot in the House Republican hierarchy. The committee helps craft House GOP positions on issues and makes sure members are up to speed on them.

Two of Lankford’s Oklahoma colleagues saw this coming. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, recently raved to The Oklahoman’s editorial board about Lankford’s first two years, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, who’s about to begin his 19th year in the House, called Lankford “the most unfreshman freshman I’ve ever seen.” Congratulations!

Thank you for joining our conversation on ScissorTales. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.