“May the Lord be with those who lost family members and friends during the tragic tornadoes that destroyed and took many lives in Oklahoma over the past two days. Oklahomans will persevere as we have done in the face of tragedy and loss in the past, but we will never forget the young school children and the countless others who lost their lives in these horrific storms. Kay and I will continue to pray for everyone in Oklahoma and throughout the Midwest who are suffering.

“This morning I spoke with Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood, Major General Myles Deering of the Oklahoma National Guard, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. State and Federal agencies are working together to coordinate the search and rescue efforts. The congressional delegation and I will join Governor Mary Fallin, local leaders, and FEMA officials this afternoon to ensure that resources are best used to help all those in need.”

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How can we help the injured?  How can we show compassion to those who have lost so much?  How can we provide a hand-up to those who have been knocked down...

Character is built in tough times and Oklahoma has world class leadership, from the fire & police stations to the hospitals, to city hall and on up to the state capitol.  We know how to come together to weep, pray, work and give in the aftermath of tragedy.  We have not been promised that life will be easy and free of trouble.  However, we are promised peace in the midst of heartache.  We just need to humbly ask for it and then lean on each other for support.

Psalm 126 tells us that God is closest to us when we are heart-broken and that one day our tears will be turned to songs of joy.  Charles Tennyson wrote that, "Though evil fates may frown upon us,  hope is the star that lights our night of grief." 

This too shall pass.  Oklahoman's will rebuild and continue to positively influence our country because of our world-class leadership.  But until then please join us by weeping, praying, working and giving to those who have been struck by the catastrophic tornadoes of May 19th and 20th.

In the coming days there will continue to be great needs to which we should all contribute a helping hand. Also, let's remember the secondary needs that cannot be forgotten. We're directing folks to contribute whatever aid they can to BGCO Disaster Relief. okdisasterhelp.comhttp://vimeo.com/66648284.

As other opportunities for aid arise, we'll update you. Again, please join us in prayer for all of our fellow Oklahomans affected by this week's tragedy.

Mr. Bridenstine drafted a letter on Friday to be sent to Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, who has ultimate authority over the IRS, seeking further information on this matter.  The letter has been co-signed by over 100 Members of Congress.

Bridenstine joined Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN) in a press conference at the Capitol today to denounce IRS harassment of conservative organizations.  Also participating were Senators Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Lee (UT), Rand Paul (KY) and Mitch McConnell (KY), several other Members of Congress, and representatives of targeted organizations: Jenny Beth Martin, Tea Party Patriots; Amy Kremer, Tea Party Express; Jordan Sekulow, American Center for Law & Justice; Todd Cefaratti, TheTeaParty.Net; Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks; Niger Innis, TheTeaParty.Net; Diane Belson, Laurens County Tea Party; and Tom Zawistowski, Ohio Liberty Coalition.

On Friday, May 10th, the Associated Press published a disturbing report in which officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) admitted that they singled out conservative political organizations claiming tax exempt status for additional scrutiny and investigation.

Ms. Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax exempt groups, admitted that at least 75 organizations were singled out because they included the words “tea party” or “patriot” in their applications for tax exempt status.  While she acknowledged that actions were clearly violations of IRS policies, she laid the blame on “low-level workers” in the Cincinnati IRS office.  She failed to clarify at the time that Cincinnati is not a minor regional office but rather the IRS national office that handles all tax exempt organizations.

Ms. Lerner’s statements directly contradicted the testimony of then-IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman during a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee in March 2012.  At the time, Mr. Shulman stated unequivocally that “there is absolutely no targeting” and that “this is the kind of back and forth that happens to people” who apply for tax exempt status.  In a reversal, on Wednesday the Administration demanded the resignation of Steven Miller, the current Acting Director of the IRS.

The inappropriate and intimidating investigation tactics included probing questions about organizations’ board members, officers, employees, and their families.  There were also demands for extraordinary detail on employee training, vending, and advertising.  Among other IRS demands, they required lists of “all issues important to your organization" with requests to "indicate your position regarding each issue.”  Tea Party organizations reported requests for complete lists of all the books their staffs had read in the prior 12 months with book reports on each.

Congressman Bridenstine said, “The resignation of Steven Miller does not relieve this Administration from its culpability for creating a political culture that generates harassment and abuse of power by institutions that should be apolitical.” 

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Washington, DC —

“I am obligated to do everything I can to protect Oklahomans from the harmful effects of the President’s healthcare law,” said Lankford.

“Oklahomans consistently tell me how the law is already negatively impacting their families, businesses and healthcare options. The only way to avoid the unwanted side effects of this law is to repeal and replace it with a more patient-centered approach. We should not denigrate every Oklahoman’s healthcare options and increase their costs to subsidize the uninsured. The CBO has now projected that when the law is fully implemented 31 million Americans will still not have health insurance and costs will increase for all Americans.   

“The healthcare law has already caused the pending termination of a great state-run insurance program in Oklahoma, Insure Oklahoma. The State sought a waiver to continue operations after 2014, which was recently denied by the Administration. There is no reason an effective local solution providing affordable health insurance options should be terminated in favor of a detached Washington-based approach.

“With more than 20 new tax increases, continually skyrocketing premium cost projections, and obstacles to care, this law is neither affordable, nor care-centered,” continued Lankford. “When the law is implemented, Washington’s bureaucrat-loaded 15-member Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) will be empowered to determine whether or not certain medical procedures are “essential” for patients, when their doctors have already deemed them necessary. 

“The law has already caused an increase in premiums and drug prices for the very people it is intended to protect. Patients with high medical bills and families with disabled children are also punished by provisions disallowing them to save to pay for health services. Employees who work in non-profit groups, small businesses, and large companies are experiencing the shock of all the healthcare changes, and they continue to encourage me to stand up for their healthcare options and stop the implementation of ObamaCare.   

“We currently have access to some of the best health professionals, facilities and technology in the world. My colleagues in the House and I stand firmly in support of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. I will continue to work to shield Oklahomans from the harmful provisions in the law and look for every opportunity to fully repeal it,” concluded Lankford.

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Congressman Markwayne Mullin made the following statement upon the conclusion of the vote.

“Today’s vote to repeal Obamacare is a critical solution that will protect American jobs.  Even initial supporters of the health care law are now deeming it a 'train wreck.'  As one of the few members of Congress who still owns a business, I represent thousands of concerned business owners across the nation who are burdened with federal regulations.  Employers should not have to compete with the federal government or subject their companies to financial risk.  Additionally, employers should not be penalized for wanting to grow and expand their business. 

The facts prove that Obamacare will wreak havoc on our economy and stifle job growth.  Over the next decade, it is estimated that Obamacare will raise taxes on Americans by approximately $1.1 trillion.  Obamacare will also cost jobs in fields dominated by our young people.  Our country cannot afford to limit the potential of future generations with undue taxes and regulations. 

All Americans and business owners deserve reform that protects their jobs, lowers their cost and improves their quality of life.  Obamacare does not do that.  By voting to repeal Obamacare, we are voting to put America back in business.”

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The Tulsa World recently reported on special ballots for the upcoming vote for Tulsa mayor that were sent to voters pre-filled with voters' sensitive personal information. This is a blatant violation of electioneering best-practices, as advised by the State Board of Elections, which discourage any sort of electioneering that involves filling out ballots for voters. It is something the OKGOP knows quite well, as we take very clear steps in our 72-hour programs to follow the Board's advice and counsel.

Irresponsible electioneering that could produce fraudulent ballots is bad enough. But, with the backdrop of the IRS scandal in D.C., the sensitivity of personal information is at the top of everyone's minds. That ballots with sensitive voter information could fall into the hands of some ne'er-do-wells makes the issue all the more noteworthy. In a day and age when personal information should be treated with the utmost sensitivity, Kathy Taylor clearly has no respect for privacy.

Alas, the problems presented by Taylor's candidacy do not stop there. Reports have surfaced that Kathy Taylor, former head of Tourism under Brad Henry, may have directed $190,000 in state funds to Gene Stipe's cronies to be used as investment in his now-infamous dog food plant, for which he was convicted for political conspiracy. The mere mention of that name brings untold implications of scandal.

What's more, questions have been posed as to whether Taylor is even eligible to run for any office in the state of Oklahoma. With property and considerable dealings in the state of Florida, her residency in Oklahoma is under further scrutiny. If facts point to a residency in Florida to avoid state income taxes, that's perfectly fine (plenty of military servicemen and women do the same). But that residency also disqualifies her from running for any office in Oklahoma.

And finally, public records demonstrate Taylor double-voted in the 2000 presidential election: once in Florida and a second time in Oklahoma. The fact became public after Florida elections officials concluded an investigation into allegations that Taylor and her husband owed more than $130,000 in back taxes and fines in that state as a result of the couple filing homestead exemptions in Florida and Oklahoma in violation of Florida tax laws.

There are too many questions that demand a verdict in the race for Tulsa mayor. Regardless, the conclusion seems obvious: like the national leader of her party, Kathy Taylor is a prime example of an elitist Democrat who thinks that rules apply to everyone but her.