Oklahoma GOP Vote On Censuring Lankford, Inhofe Fails 122 To 93

Breaking News Update July 17 1:27 p.m.:

The state Republican party voted against censuring the state's two Republican U.S. Senators by a vote of 122 to 93.

Senator James Lankford said in a statement:

"Over the last few weeks, Cindy and I have been blessed with the support of thousands of Oklahomans who have endorsed our campaign, joined our prayer team, signed up to volunteer, and donated their hard-earned money to walk with us in this cause. It is truly humbling to have such strong support from Republicans in every county in Oklahoma. I will continue to fight the good fight on behalf of every Oklahoman to ensure our values are not silenced by Washington, DC Democrats who want to cancel our voice and push their socialist agenda."

Senator Jim Inhofe said:

“This vote is an important step in uniting the Republican Party in Oklahoma. President Biden is the most radical leftist president we've seen. He's opening the border, defunding the military, abandoning our allies and the people of Cuba, promoting taxpayer-funded abortions, raising taxes, spending us into inflation and working to undermine our elections. The Republican party must be united to defeat Democrats in next year's election so we can stop this agenda in its tracks.”

This is a breaking news update, the original story is below

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In less than 24 hours, the state Republican party is set to vote on censuring the state's two Republican U.S. Senators.

The censure being considered by the state committee also includes calling on Sen. James Lankford and Sen. Jim Inhofe to resign from office.

The censure resolution authored by the Osage County Republican Party claims Inhofe and Lankford failed "to take all possible measures to protect the integrity of the 2020 President Electoral Vote."

In December, the Justice Department said there was no widespread voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the election.

The censure claims after being interrupted on January 6, Lankford "publicly rescinded his previous support of reviewing electoral votes." it adds "...he and Senator Inhofe promptly cast the blame for the Capitol riot, and all the violence upon MAGA Republicans and President Donald J. Trump with mere circumstantial evidence."

“Why in God's name would someone think attacking law enforcement and occupying the U.S. Capitol is the best way to show you’re right,” Lankford said on January 6.

Together, Lankford and Inhofe have served in Congress - as Republicans - for a combined 62 years.

All of this comes as state party chairman John Bennett endorses Lankford's primary challenger, drawing pushback from legislative republican leaders.

“My reflection on what a party chair should do and his are diametrically opposed,” said Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Edmond, in May. “I don’t think he should be trying to unseat a sitting U.S. Senator in James Lankford.”

According to an agenda obtained by News 9, state Republican leaders are set to vote on the resolution behind closed doors Saturday at an Edmond church. 

The state Republican party did not respond to News 9’s request for comment. Spokeswomen for Lankford and Inhofe declined to comment ahead of the vote.