September 13, 2025 Issue, Page 11 of 12

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The Elk City News NEWS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • 11 Lankford Renews Push to End Government Shutdowns, Hold Congress Accountable W A S H I N G T O N , is to keep Congress in Washington of Congress to stay in Washington completed. This will prevent a gov- lowances for official business (ex- the House and Senate unless they DC — US Senator James Lank- until the budget is finished. That until their work on appropriations ernment-wide shutdown, continue cept one flight to return to Wash- pertain to passage of the appropri- ford (R-OK) and House Budget puts the pressure on lawmakers, is complete.” critical services and operations for ington, DC) for the following: ations bills or mandatory quorum Chairman Jodey Arrington (R- not on families and important ser- Lankford is joined by Sena- Americans, and hold federal work- White House OMB staff and calls in the Senate. However, after TX-19) reintroduced the Prevent vices.” tors John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve ers harmless while Congress com- leadership 30 days under the automatic CR, Government Shutdowns Act of “In the real world, if you fail Daines (R-MT), John Cornyn (R- pletes appropriations. Members of the House and Sen- certain expiring authorization bills 2025, which would take govern- to do your job, there are conse- TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassi- Upon a lapse in government ate and executive calendar nomina- ment shutdowns off the table and quences. Yet, when Congress fails dy (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R- funding, the bill would implement Committee and personal staff of tions would be eligible for consid- force Congress to stay in town until to pass appropriations on time, TN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), an automatic continuing resolution the House and Senate eration on the Senate floor, includ- their work is done. the burden falls squarely on hard- and Katie Britt (R-AL). (CR), on rolling 14-day periods, No official funds may be used for ing a nomination for a Justice of the “We have to change the way working Americans - taxpayers, based on the most current spend- CODEL or STAFFDEL travel Supreme Court or a Cabinet Sec- Washington spends money. Our seniors, and our men and women BACKGROUND ing levels enacted in the previous No use of campaign funds by retary, and narrow reauthorization debt is now more than $37 trillion. in uniform,” said Arrington. “My Introduced initially in Febru- fiscal year. This would prevent a congressional offices to supplement legislation for programs operating Congress cannot keep avoiding the Prevent Government Shutdowns ary 2019, the Prevent Government shutdown and continue critical official duties or travel expenses under an authorization that has al- hard choices to fix it,” said Lank- Act is commonsense legislation Shutdowns Act requires that if services and operations. No motions to recess or adjourn ready expired or will expire within ford. “Shutting down the govern- that would shift the burden of a appropriations work is not done During the covered period of in the House/Senate for a period the next 30 days. These restrictions ment does not fix the debt problem, shutdown away from We the Peo- on time, all Members of Congress an automatic CR, the following re- of more than 23 hours can be waived by a two-thirds vote it just makes it worse. The best way ple and onto the politicians where must stay in Washington, DC, and strictions are put in place: In addition, under the bill, no in either chamber, but not for lon- to finish negotiating the hard issue it belongs - by forcing Members work until the spending bills are No taxpayer-funded travel al- other votes would be in order in ger than seven days. September is Healthy Aging Month: Oklahoma Poison Center Warns Seniors About Medication Mistakes OKLAHOMA CITY – Septem- plements, which raises the risk of Center: scriptions don’t think about childproofing ter urges older adults, caregivers ber is both Healthy Aging Month harmful mistakes. · Took too much of a medica- · Keep medicines in their origi- because they don’t live with chil- and families to call the Poison and National Senior Center “Medication mix-ups are the tion nal containers dren full-time, but a toddler can Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 with Month, and the Oklahoma Poi- No. 1 reason older adults call the · Confusion about drug inter- · Read the label before each swallow pills in seconds. questions about medication safe- son Center, a program of the Uni- Poison Center,” said Kristie Edel- actions dose Protecting Visiting Grandchil- ty or possible poisonings. Trained versity of Oklahoma College of en, managing director. “Some- · Missed a dose and unsure · Never take medicine in the dren: pharmacists and nurses are avail- Pharmacy, reminds older adults times it’s an extra dose, a missed what to do dark · Store medicines out of reach able 24/7, at no cost. that safe medication use is a vital dose or a dangerous interaction. · Took the wrong medicine by · Safely dispose of expired or and sight “Healthy aging isn’t just about part of healthy aging. These may sound minor, but they mistake unneeded medicines · Use a lock box when possible exercise and diet – it’s also about Each year, medication errors can quickly turn into serious · Unsure if a new prescription · Ask your doctor or pharma- · Never call medicine “candy” taking medications safely,” Edelen account for half of all calls to the emergencies. We want seniors to can be combined with vitamins, cist before mixing prescriptions · Use child-resistant caps, al- said. “A simple call to the Oklaho- helpline from Oklahomans aged know we’re here, 24/7, to answer herbals or alcohol with other products though they are not childproof. If ma Poison Center can save a life 60 and older. As people age, they questions and help prevent trag- Medication Safety Tips for Calls also come when visiting given enough time, a child can ac- or prevent unnecessary ER visits often take more prescriptions, edies.” Older Adults: grandchildren get into unsecured cess the contents of the container. or hospital stays.” over-the-counter drugs and sup- Why Seniors Call the Poison · Use one pharmacy for all pre- medications. Many grandparents The Oklahoma Poison Cen- Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Accepting SWOSU Announces Supporting Sponsors Nominations for Medal for Excellence Awards for 2025 Charitable Hunt OKLAHOMA CITY — Excel- lence begins in Oklahoma’s public The Southwestern Oklaho- school classrooms, where teachers ma State University (SWOSU) change lives by engaging, challeng- Foundation, Inc. is pleased ing and inspiring students. to announce the Supporting The Oklahoma Foundation for Sponsors for the 6th Annu- Excellence is now accepting nom- al SWOSU Charitable Hunt, inations for the Medal for Excel- scheduled for Friday, Sep- lence to honor these dedicated ed- tember 12, 2025, at BlackOak ucators. Farms in Devol, Oklahoma. One of Oklahoma’s most presti- This year’s sponsors in- gious teaching honors, the Medal clude: for Excellence recognizes public Hunting Sport Clay Com- school educators for their passion petition Sponsors Mike and innovation, commitment to Photo by AJ Stegall Photography North, ‘80, and Ronnie Old- professional development and Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence President Lee Ann DeArman, left, and field, ‘80, with Regeneration extraordinary impact on student Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody, right, present Sand Springs Superin- Ranch learning. tendent Sherry Durkee with the Medal for Excellence in Elementary/Sec- Gift Sponsors Bank of West- Anyone can nominate an edu- ondary Administration during the Academic Awards Celebration on May 10 ern Oklahoma, Halestorm cator for a Medal for Excellence, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Aesthetics (Clarke Hale, ‘08 including colleagues, community selected in each of the following committee is comprised of busi- & ‘10, & Kayla Hale, ‘12), and members and current or former categories: Elementary Teaching, ness, education and civic leaders, as UglyMugz (Brian Aneshans- Hunt will feature a sporting generation of conservation- students. Nominations must be Secondary Teaching, Elementary/ well as past award recipients. ley, ‘98) clay competition, followed by ists, wildlife professionals, submitted by 5 p.m. Oct. 3. Secondary Administration, Re- Detailed award criteria and ac- Auction Sponsors United a guided dove hunt hosted at and leaders in the outdoor “Our state is home to thousands gional University/Community cess to the nomination portal are Country Hunting Properties the scenic BlackOak Farms. industry. of outstanding educators, and by College Teaching and Research available at OFE.org. (Corky Heard, ‘87, & Missy Participants will also enjoy Registration is still open putting them in the spotlight, we University Teaching. Founded in 1985, OFE is a state- Heard, ‘87 & ‘92) a cocktail reception, dinner, for this limited, all-inclusive send a strong message about the OFE will honor the Medal for wide, nonpartisan nonprofit that The generous support of and silent auction. event. value of their work and of public Excellence recipients at the 40th recognizes and encourages aca- these businesses underscores Proceeds from the event Non-hunters may also reg- education in Oklahoma,” said OFE annual Academic Awards Cele- demic excellence in Oklahoma’s the strong community com- will benefit the Dr. Ken Rose ister to attend the cocktail Executive Director Elizabeth In- bration on May 2, 2026, at the Na- public schools. The foundation mitment to SWOSU’s mission Memorial Fund, which pro- hour and dinner. Additional body. “We encourage Oklahomans tional Cowboy & Western Heritage elevates public education through and the ongoing success of vides vital support to the details, sponsorship oppor- to take a few minutes to nominate Museum in Oklahoma City. Each esteemed honors, grants to K-12 this annual event. SWOSU Department of Parks tunities, and registration in- an educator who is making a tre- recipient receives a $5,000 prize, mentoring programs, support for These Supporting Spon- & Recreation Management. formation can be found at mendous impact on our public a medallion and an etched glass public school foundations and sors join MA+ Architecture, These funds enhance ex- HuntWithSWOSU.com or by school students.” “Roots and Wings” sculpture. partnerships that provide excep- who is serving as the Official periential learning opportu- contacting Taylor Adler at Only five educators receive the An independent selection com- tional professional development to Sponsor of the popular event. nities, support faculty devel- [email protected] or award annually. One honoree is mittee chooses the honorees. The educators. The SWOSU Charitable opment, and prepare the next 580-774-6331.