Doug Jones calls Tuberville's speech "the strangest speech on the floor of the United States Senate that I have ever heard"
Democratic nominee for Alabama governor and former U.S. senator, speaking at a news conference
“My only comment is that was the strangest speech on the floor of the United States Senate that I have ever heard … It was absolutely unbecoming of a United States Senator”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
AL.com's report of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones's response, at a Wednesday news conference, to Senator Tuberville's September 22 floor speech, which included the remarks about airline workers and the furry community. Jones and Tuberville face each other in the November 3 general election.
Before the quotation
Jones spoke at a news conference on Wednesday, September 23, ahead of a campaign rally with Jason Isbell. AL.com reported that he was asked to respond to comments Tuberville made on the Senate floor.
After the quotation
Jones and Tuberville face each other in the November 3 general election for Alabama governor. AL.com also reported a response to the speech from the Alabama Trans Rights Action Coalition.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Is there evidence for Tommy Tuberville's claim that furries working in the airline industry are a flight-safety risk?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Tuberville's claim that many airline pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers are furries and a flight-safety risk. Jones does not address the aviation claim separately but responds to the speech that contains it, calling it "unbecoming of a United States Senator", which criticizes Tuberville's making the remarks; no milder label fits.
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- Tommy Tuberville
Is there evidence for Tommy Tuberville's claim that furries working in the airline industry are a flight-safety risk?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
“Thanks for the shoutout, Senator Tuberville. We’re proud to be part of the furry community … OUR FURRY FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HELP KEEP OUR SKIES SAFE TOO.”Read statement
“Some, not all. … They have a club. They have an organization. … they had a section of airline pilots … Well, I don't want somebody flying me that's behind the scenes that they think they're an animal. … It's some part of mental illness that could be a catastrophe.”Read statement