Sen. James Lankford, lead Republican negotiator on border deal, censured by home state GOP

The Oklahoma senator leading negotiations on behalf of Republicans for a southern border security deal with Democrats has been condemned and censured by his home state GOP for his bipartisan work.

The Oklahoma Republican Party passed a resolution Saturday evening calling on Sen. James Lankford to “cease and desist jeopardizing the security and liberty of the people of Oklahoma and of these United States,” based on leaked portions of the talks.

“Until Senator Lankford ceases from these actions, the Oklahoma Republican Party will cease all support for him,” the resolution states. “Senator Lankford playing fast and loose with Democrats on our border policy not only disenfranchises legal immigrants seeking citizenship but it also puts the safety and security of Americans in great danger.”

Mr. Lankford won reelection in 2022 and is not up again until 2028.

The emerging deal, which would be attached to a $110 billion national security package with aid for Israel and Ukraine, is on life support.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, has cast doubt on its political viability because of former President Donald Trump’s opposition, and House Speaker Mike Johnson has said it’s “dead on arrival” in his chamber. Opponents say passing it would give President Biden a political victory in an election year on a major issue for voters that he caused.

One of the mechanisms the legislation would use is to require that mandatory expulsion authorities kick in at 5,000 daily illegal crossings to effectively shut down the border, but conservatives say that’s still far too many from the roughly 10,000 per day who are streaming across.

“Authorizing several thousand people to invade our borders before any action can be taken is contrary to the oath that Senator Lankford took to the Constitution and therefore outside of the area that he is authorized to negotiate in,” the Oklahoma GOP resolution said.

The censure and condemnation quickly stirred controversy in the state party. State committee member Anthony Ferate, an ex-chair of the state party, said the resolution vote was unauthorized and invalid.

“Today, an extreme faction of the Oklahoma Republican Party held a meeting without providing an official call to all members of the State Committee, including me, to attack Senator James Lankford,” Mr. Ferate posted on social media. “Any vote taken by the OKGOP today was not legitimate and definitely does not represent the voice of all Oklahoma Republicans.”

Mr. Lankford posted on social media afterward that “border security is national security” and appeared on “Fox News Sunday” to defend his negotiating.

“Republicans would not give funding for Ukraine and Israel and southern border because we demand changes in policy,” Mr. Lankford said. “A few months later, getting to the end, ’just kidding. I don’t want a change in law because election year.’”

As talks continue on the border bill, Mr. Lankford said allowing 5,000 illegal daily entries would be “absolutely absurd” and that this portion is “the most misunderstood” part. However, those involved, including Mr. Lankford, have declined to provide details or correct the record. His Republican colleagues have also grown increasingly frustrated with what they say is a lack of transparency.

In a separate interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Rick Scott said Mr. Lankford was “on a suicide mission.”

“We don’t need a new bill,” Mr. Scott, Florida Republican, said. “We need something to get Biden to enforce the law.”