Oklahoma’s senior United States Senator told a gathering of around 30 people at the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Monday afternoon that there are several key issues facing the country that are drawing behind-the-scenes bipartisan support.

The senator struck a positive tone with respect to what’s going on in Washington, D.C., despite what many rank and file citizens believe.

“There are some good things happening,” Lankford told the gathering in downtown Purcell.

“For instance, all the FBI agents and Department of Justice people who were making accusations between former President Donald Trump and Russia that they knew were false are now gone,” he said. “There are some good people who are working there.”

Lankford was asked if he was concerned about the FBI and DOJ.

“It’s just like good cops and bad cops,” Lankford explained. “Just because you have a bad cop doesn’t make them all bad.

“I’m concerned about the FBI in D.C. but there are good, frustrated agents in the field around the country who are saying ‘If I did some of the things they are doing I’d be fired’. They are asking why do they do that in D.C.? What we need in Washington is more transparency from the FBI. Are there some bad agents? Yes there are, but there a lot of good ones in the field across the country.”

Lankford said both sides of the isle are now agreeing that fossil fuels are needed, that current immigration laws are  a bad thing for the country and both sides agree that flavored vape juice is not a good idea.

Lankford is working with Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin on a bill to not allow flavored vape juice.

“It’s another example of bipartisan support,” he said.

“In the energy area both sides are now saying we are going to need fossil fuels until at least 2050. I’m not against lithium batteries or if people want to drive electric cars. We’ve just got to solve the permitting (for drilling for oil),” the senator said.

Along the lines of immigration, Lankford said both parties are agreeing that it’s not good for the country to allow 2.5 million people into the country every year.

“We don’t know who they are,” Lankford said.

Lankford was asked who the bigger challenge to the United States is between China, North Korea and Russia.

“It’s China by far,” Lankford said firmly. “North Korea and Russia are going to be long term issues based on what they can do. But China by far is the biggest challenge.

“Their regime means to do us harm. They want to hurt us economically, philosophically and militarily. Their regime wants to spread communism around the world,” the senator said.

With respect to the LGBTQ issues Lankford said it is a cultural issue.

“If you disagree, you are evil and the administration wants to get you. What this country needs is kindness and truth. We need respect for individuals and allow everyone to make their own life decisions.

“Christians should be allowed to live their lives of faith and for those who choose the LGBTQ lifestyle should be allow to live their lives. But they shouldn’t be allowed to impose that on me, my family or a business. We should strike a balance to make sure all folks are heard.

“Washington doesn’t change the country. The country changes Washington,” he said.

With respect to medicare reimbursements to hospitals, a major issue for small hospitals across the country and right here in Purcell, Lankford said the key is managing the cost of health care.

“If we don’t fix this rural hospitals will close across the country,” he said.

Another area where Lankford is working across the isle is with Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons.

The two have a bill that would help charitable giving.

As it stands now, the senator said if you itemize your tax return you can right off charitable giving. But if you don’t itemize you can’t right it off.

The duo is trying make it so givers can write it off either way.

Another area Lankford touched on was world currency.

“No one trusts China’s currency,” Lankford said. “The Euro has it’s own challenges. It’s not going to be Bit Con or the Ruble. It’s the U.S. Dollar they trust. But our biggest challenge is that our debt is larger than the GDP.

“If the world does not trade in dollars our debt will greatly accelerate. We would be in trouble,” he confirmed.

Lankford was asked if President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci will face charges.

Lankford said he doesn’t know.

“You just have to keep the rule of law,” he said. “The truth will come out.”