Grace Higgins Named National Security Adviser for Sen. Lankford

From Military Legislative Assistant to National Security Adviser

Grace Higgins has been named national security adviser in the office of Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), effective September 1. ​

Higgins spent the prior four years in Lankford's office, moving through three roles: defense legislative correspondent from October 2022 to September 2023, legislative aide from September 2023 to March 2024, and military legislative assistant from March 2024 to September 2026. Before joining Lankford's personal office, she served as a professional staff member on the House Administration Committee from May 2021 to October 2022, and as a special assistant to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies from October 2020 to March 2021. She holds a master's degree in defense and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Lankford sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and also serves on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC). The national security adviser role places Higgins at the intersection of those committee assignments, with her portfolio spanning the policy areas central to both panels.