Senator Jim Inhofe Issues Statement Following Tulsa Metro Chamber Speech

Oklahoma's senior Senator Jim Inhofe has released a statement following a recent speech at the Tulsa Metro Chamber where he commented about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and bestiality.

Inhofe says he's received numerous questions concerning a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that would remove a ban on sodomy and bestiality from the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Inhofe says he was simply clarifying for those constituents at the Tulsa Metro Chamber speech.

Statement from Senator Jim Inhofe:

"Over the course of the past weeks, my office has received numerous questions from constituents who were understandably concerned about inaccurate information they had received related to an NDAA provision.

The provision in question deleted Article 125 of the military's UCMJ, bringing the UCMJ in line with last year's repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That is why it was necessary to clarify any misconceptions about the issue during my speech to the Tulsa Chamber.

I will not bend to political correctness when addressing these issues and answering the concerns of Oklahomans. My record of opposition to the repeal of DADT is well established, and I will not apologize for my consistently conservative position on social issues. I am extremely disappointed that the Tulsa Chamber would give credibility to the politically-motivated false attacks. This will certainly inform my decisions regarding future engagements with the Tulsa Chamber.

And I am asking the several hundred people who heard my speech to speak up and expose what a disservice this small sub-group of the Chamber has done to me."

The Tulsa Metro Chamber publicly distanced itself from Inhofe after those comments saying Inhofe's comments do not reflect the Chamber's view on diversity and inclusion.