'We do not encourage what happened today': Lankford delivers powerful speech following chaos in DC

the vice president. You said things more eloquently than how we say it in Oklahoma, Oklahoma, we'd say something like, Why in God's name would someone think attacking law enforcement and occupying the United States Capitol is the best way to show that you're right? Why would you do that? Riders and thugs don't run the capital where the United States of America. We disagree on a lot of things, and we have a lot of spirited debate in this room. But we talk it out and we honor each other. Even in our disagreement. That person, that person, that person is not my enemy. That's my fellow American. And while we disagree on things and disagree strongly at times, we do not encourage what happened today. Ever. I want to join my fellow centers and saying thank you to the Capitol Hill Police, Law Enforcement, National Guard, the Secret Service, who stood in harm's way while we were here debating. They were pushing back and I was literally interrupted midsentence speaking here because we were all unaware of what was happening right outside this room because of their faith on us, because what they have done and I want to thank you them. Thank them, Ronald Reagan once said. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. The peaceful people in my state in Oklahoma want their questions answered, but they don't want this what happened today. They want to do the right thing and they also want to do it the right way. They went on on the constitutional process, but they also want have debate about election security because they want to make sure it's right, which is why it's an important issue that still needs to be resolved. Transparency in government just doesn't seem like a bad idea. Obviously, the commission that we have asked for is not going to happen at this point, and I understand that and we're headed towards tonight towards the certification of Joe Biden, be the president of the United States, and we will work together in this body to be able to set a peaceful example. The days ahead I yield the floor

Sen. James Lankford delivered a powerful speech Wednesday night on the Senate floor after lawmakers resumed the certification process of President-elect Joe Biden.Watch the video player above to see Lankford’s full speech.Lankford, R-Oklahoma, spoke hours after he started a speech that was interrupted when protesters breached the U.S. Capitol following a rally in support of President Donald Trump. Lankford was challenging Arizona’s Electoral College vote when the Senate chamber had to be cleared.When lawmakers reconvened and Lankford resumed his speech Wednesday night, he brought a message of unity while condemning those who stormed the Capitol.“In Oklahoma, we’d say something like, ‘Why in God’s name would someone think attacking law enforcement and occupying the United States Capitol is the best way to show that you’re right? Why would you do that?’ Rioters and thugs don’t run the Capitol. We’re the United State of America,” Lankford said. “We disagree on a lot of things and we have a lot of spirited debate in this room, but we talk it out and we honor each other. Even in our disagreements, that person, that person, that person is not my enemy. That’s my fellow American.“And while we disagree on things, and disagree strongly at times, we do not encourage what happened today. Ever.”While Lankford said that the peaceful people of Oklahoma want answers regarding alleged election fraud, his constituents do not want what happened Wednesday on Capitol Hill. “They want to do the right thing, and they also want to do it the right way,” Lankford said. “They want to honor the constitutional process, but they also want to have debate about election security because they want to make sure it’s right – which is why it’s an important issue that needs to be resolved. Transparency in government does not seem to be a bad idea.”There has been no credible evidence suggesting widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.Lankford concluded his speech on the Senate floor by acknowledging that lawmakers were on the road to certifying Biden as the 46th president of the United States. Lankford and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, also released a joint statement following the Oklahoma senator’s speech. Lankford and Daines said they will no longer oppose the Electoral College vote. You can read the statement in its entirety below.“Today is a sad day for our country. The destruction and violence at our nation’s Capitol is an assault on democracy. We thank the men and women of the US Capitol Police for working to restore peace. The actions at the Capitol are indefensible and not supported by the vast majority of Trump supporters. We must rise above the violence. “We must, and we will, have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. The violent actions of these rioters severely damages efforts to restore confidence in our elections. We will continue our calls to examine election integrity through all legal and peaceful means.“We now need the entire Congress to come together and vote to certify the election results. We must stand together as Americans. We must defend our Constitution and the rule of law.”

Sen. James Lankford delivered a powerful speech Wednesday night on the Senate floor after lawmakers resumed the certification process of President-elect Joe Biden. Watch the video player above to see Lankford’s full speech. Lankford, R-Oklahoma, spoke hours after he started a speech that was interrupted when protesters breached the U.S. Capitol following a rally in support of President Donald Trump. Lankford was challenging Arizona’s Electoral College vote when the Senate chamber had to be cleared. When lawmakers reconvened and Lankford resumed his speech Wednesday night, he brought a message of unity while condemning those who stormed the Capitol. “In Oklahoma, we’d say something like, ‘Why in God’s name would someone think attacking law enforcement and occupying the United States Capitol is the best way to show that you’re right? Why would you do that?’ Rioters and thugs don’t run the Capitol. We’re the United State of America,” Lankford said. “We disagree on a lot of things and we have a lot of spirited debate in this room, but we talk it out and we honor each other. Even in our disagreements, that person, that person, that person is not my enemy. That’s my fellow American. “And while we disagree on things, and disagree strongly at times, we do not encourage what happened today. Ever.” While Lankford said that the peaceful people of Oklahoma want answers regarding alleged election fraud, his constituents do not want what happened Wednesday on Capitol Hill. “They want to do the right thing, and they also want to do it the right way,” Lankford said. “They want to honor the constitutional process, but they also want to have debate about election security because they want to make sure it’s right – which is why it’s an important issue that needs to be resolved. Transparency in government does not seem to be a bad idea.” There has been no credible evidence suggesting widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Watch: Sen. Lankford speaking when Senate chamber was told to clear amid chaos in DC Lankford concluded his speech on the Senate floor by acknowledging that lawmakers were on the road to certifying Biden as the 46th president of the United States. Lankford and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, also released a joint statement following the Oklahoma senator’s speech. Lankford and Daines said they will no longer oppose the Electoral College vote. You can read the statement in its entirety below. “Today is a sad day for our country. The destruction and violence at our nation’s Capitol is an assault on democracy. We thank the men and women of the US Capitol Police for working to restore peace. The actions at the Capitol are indefensible and not supported by the vast majority of Trump supporters. We must rise above the violence. “We must, and we will, have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. The violent actions of these rioters severely damages efforts to restore confidence in our elections. We will continue our calls to examine election integrity through all legal and peaceful means. “We now need the entire Congress to come together and vote to certify the election results. We must stand together as Americans. We must defend our Constitution and the rule of law.” Oklahoma lawmakers safe, speak out following the chaos at US Capitol