Dear Oklahoma friends and neighbors: I enjoyed two great weeks back in Oklahoma around Easter. It is always helpful to hear directly from Oklahomans on the issues we face at home and on the national level. I was able to travel the state to hear from large groups on trade and tariffs to small groups on ag issues, and rural hospital developments.
As is typical in April, our state has seen abundant rain—in some places too abundant—and some severe weather already this season, including fires and tornadoes. For information on how to keep you, your family, your home, and even a business safe, you can visit www.Ready.gov or the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management’s #ReadyOK page.
The U.S. Senate got back to work this week to continue confirming President Trump’s ambassadors to nations like the UK, China, Italy, and Turkey. We also passed what are called “resolutions of disapproval” for some of President Biden’s lastminute onerous rules and regulations. The Senate has been in session and confirmed more nominees than any Senate in the past 40 years.
Highlighting Oklahoma’s Strong Work Ethic In late March, I launched a year-long project to highlight the people who make Oklahoma strong— everyday Oklahomans who show up, get the job done, and help their neighbors along the way.
I’m calling it “Oklahoma Works,” and it is a new video series that will come with me around the state when I hear from Oklahomans from all walks of life, including construction workers, teachers, first responders, farmers, mechanics, small business owners, healthcare workers, retail workers, and more. My goal is simple—highlight the work ethic and values of the people who make Oklahoma work.
Stonehenge in Tulsa? Yes, you read that correctly. If you haven’t traveled in the Tulsa area recently, you may not know that an I-44/US Highway 75 construction project has earned the moniker “Stonehenge” because the supports for the bridge have sat there since phase one was completed in 2023. I worked with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to secure a competitive federal transportation grant so the project can finally move forward. On April 23, I joined Tulsa City leaders and ODOT to break ground and move Tulsa Stonehenge forward in its much-needed safety and traffic improvements.
They are hoping to see this mega construction project finished by 2028. Which reminds me, don’t forget to slow down in construction zones. The great Oklahomans working on our roads have families too, let’s keep them safe.
UPDATE: Budget and Tax Bill Before the State Work Period around Easter, I voted to support the Senate Republican Budget Resolution. This year’s budget resolution provides a framework for our Republican plan to keep taxes from going up on every American at the end of 2025 when President Trump’s 2017 tax bill expires. The bill also moves the conversation forward about how to address our national debt, reduce the size and scope of the monstrous federal government, tackle Washington’s appetite for overspending, and address waste and fraud in federal programs.
Oklahomans and the American people do not want to see their taxes raised or have the government waste their money. This bill lays the groundwork to provide additional funding to keep the border secure, grow our energy dominance, build a strong national defense, cut wasteful spending and prevent a tax increase on families and small businesses. This vote was the first step to make sure that we deliver on these promises.
There is more work to be done. I serve on the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over tax issues, and we have been working on this bill for at least a year since we could see the 2025 deadline coming. The House and Senate are now negotiating the final product that will need to pass both chambers.