Oklahoma Rural Association

05/18/2026

In rural Oklahoma, phones and apps are more than entertainment for our kids; they are tools for schoolwork, staying connected with family, and accessing important information. Parents deserve the ability to guide those experiences safely.

That’s why we support the federal App Store Accountability Act. This commonsense legislation would require app stores to obtain parental approval before minors can download apps, helping families better protect children from harmful content, online predators, exploitation, and addictive features.

For rural families especially, technology is part of everyday life. But parents, not the government and not Big Tech, should remain in charge when it comes to children’s online safety. We appreciate lawmakers who are working to put families first and encourage Congress to advance the App Store Accountability Act.

05/13/2026

Congress is debating the CLARITY Act in the Senate Finance and Agriculture committees. This bill, while well-intended, does not go far enough to protect rural Oklahoma's interests. As we enter the digital space, we need protections for our country bankers and financial institutions. We are asking Senator Lankford to vote no on the CLARITY Act in its current form.

05/07/2026

Congress is currently debating the CLARITY Act, which is intended to provide structure for the crypto markets.

Unfortunately, its guardrails are insufficient to protect vulnerable Americans from financial scams, including here in Oklahoma. People's hard-earned savings could be at risk.

We will monitor this legislation as it moves through Congress and provide further updates.

03/18/2026

Great news for families: The App Store Accountability Act has advanced out of committee in the U.S. House.

For parents here in Oklahoma and across rural America, raising kids in the digital age isn’t easy. Apps can expose children to content and interactions that families never intended. Parents deserve real tools to guide what their kids can access online.

That’s why the App Store Accountability Act is such an important step forward. By placing basic safety measures at the app store level, this bill helps ensure that app ratings reflect actual content and that age verification and parental approval happen before kids download apps, not after problems occur.

As we work to grow rural America, it is important that we take safeguards to protect our kids and preserve our way of life. There is no easy answer to the dangers online, but we must take steps to protect kids.

03/05/2026

Tech reform must begin, especially for rural youth, in the App Store:

https://townhall.com/columnists/jordan-sekolow-and-donn-parsons/2026/03/04/the-gateway-to-tech-is-the-app-store-thats-where-reform-must-begin-n2672269

Congressman Brett Guthrie John James

The App Store Accountability Act empowers parents to control app downloads for child safety and development.

02/11/2026

Rural Americans need as many health options as possible. Why is it that recently, many FDA drugs have been halted?

We can’t let someone who shares the views of Bernie Sanders decide what health care looks like for rural Americans. This unelected bureaucrat shouldn’t make health choices for rural Oklahomans!

We should have as many options and choices as possible.

A top FDA appointee who doesn’t think patients can be trusted to make their own healthcare decisions.

12/05/2025

We commend Attorney General Getner Drummond for his work and vigilance to keep companies like State Farm from hurting Oklahoma consumers.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has moved to intervene in a lawsuit against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, alleging the insurer ran a coordinated program to reduce or deny roof-related hail and wind damage claims while increasing premiums.

11/14/2025

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Rural Association formally presented Sen. James Lankford with the Rural Healthcare Excellence Award for his efforts to improve seniors' access to health coverage across Oklahoma, especially in small and agricultural communities. We are extremely grateful for his commitment and dedication!

The ORA will continue to work with Sen. Lankford and other members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation to support rural seniors, especially by asking them to protect the Medicare Advantage program.

09/27/2025

09/26/2025

On Thursday, the Oklahoma Rural Association formally presented Rep. Stephanie Bice with the Rural Healthcare Excellence Award for her efforts to improve seniors' access to health coverage across Oklahoma, especially in small and agricultural communities. We are extremely grateful for her commitment and dedication!

The ORA will continue to work with Rep. Bice and other members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation to support rural seniors, especially by asking them to protect the Medicare Advantage program.