The Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today hosted a telephone briefing on the Department of Defense’s (DOD) response to the COVID-19 pandemic.During the Members’ briefing, DOD officials updated committee members on what DOD is doing to protect the force and maintain readiness, how the DOD is supporting civil authorities, and what steps DOD is taking to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the Defense Industrial Base, among... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) held a virtual town hall with the Altus community this morning on the COVID-19 response and resources available for families, individuals and small businesses. The Altus Chamber of Commerce was initially planning on being in Washington this week for their annual fly-in meetings. A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions associated with COVID-19 can be found here.Inhofe’s statement on March 25, 2020, after voting in favor of the CARES Act can be viewed... Continue Reading »
Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined a letter led by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and U.S. Representatives Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-Wash.) to the Trump administration urging them to provide immediate assistance to rural hospitals and clinics. The lawmakers specifically call on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar to use the funding included in the recently passed CARES Act to sustain rural health providers. The... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after learning of the passing of former Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn: “There was no one like Dr. Tom Coburn—in the Senate or in Oklahoma,” Inhofe said. “He was respected by everyone for a lot of things—as a medical doctor, an intellectual, a fearless advocate against government waste, a sought after advisor —but more than that, he was a brother in Christ. I was honored to serve the people of Oklahoma with him, and Kay and I are praying for... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the Senate confirmation of William Jordan Gillis to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. “Last night after the Senate passed the CARES Act, we also confirmed Jordan Gillis to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment," Inhofe said. "Charged with our crucial installation infrastructure as well as sustainment and our incredible organic industrial base,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, submitted opening remarks for the record this morning at a SASC “paper hearing” on the posture of the U.S. Air Force. Due to ongoing health concerns related to COVID-19, traditional hearings are not being held. To learn more about Inhofe’s commitment to transparency and fulfilling the committee’s necessary oversight responsibilities, please click here. Inhofe’s full statement for the record... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after voting in favor of the CARES Act, the comprehensive coronavirus relief package. Previous efforts to advance the legislation failed on Sunday and Monday because Senate Democrats opposed the measure. This legislation also fixes the major paid-leave mandate imposed on small businesses that Sen. Inhofe highlighted last week.“To all Oklahomans—our families, our students, our small businesses and health care providers—help is on the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for prioritizing critical funding and much-needed authorities to protect Department of Defense personnel and bolster national defense throughout the coronavirus pandemic.The CARES Act, which passed the Senate 96-0, includes a total of $10.5 billion in emergency appropriations for the Department of Defense, as well as significant... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate voted by voice last night to confirm Matthew P. Donovan to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and James E. McPherson to be Under Secretary of the Army. “I’m glad the Senate moved last night to confirm Matt Donovan to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and James E. McPherson to be Under Secretary of the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe made the following statement today after Senate Democrats refused to support a procedural vote that would have moved the Senate closer to a vote on the CARES Act, the third coronavirus relief package: “This crisis facing the American people is extraordinary, and I had been so proud of the bipartisan cooperation we had been receiving from the Democrats. It was working great until Nancy Pelosi entered the picture late Sunday afternoon and convinced Senate Democrats to block... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) led a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross urging him to investigate excessive dumping of oil by Russia and Saudi Arabia that has destabilized global oil markets.Inhofe was joined in sending the letter by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).The full text of the letter to Secretary Ross can... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement:“The New York Times allegations are completely baseless and 100 percent false. I was not at the briefing on January 24. I was meeting with pro-life kids from Oklahoma here for the March for Life and the new nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania.“I do not have any involvement in my investment decisions. In December 2018, shortly after becoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I instructed my financial advisor to... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined CNBC this morning to discuss Russia and Saudi Arabia engaging in anticompetitive practices in our energy industry. Inhofe’s interview follows a letter he sent to Secretary Ross, urging him to consider a Section 232 investigation into Russia and Saudi Arabia for excessive dumping in oil markets. Read Inhofe’s letter here. Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after news that a Tulsa County man in his 50s has become the first death attributed to COVID-19 in Oklahoma.“Kay and I were deeply saddened to hear of the first death from the coronavirus in Oklahoma—a fellow Tulsa county resident no less,” Inhofe said. “Kay and I are praying for his family and loved ones and all of our fellow Oklahomans affected by this awful virus. This heartbreaking news only intensifies my resolve to ensure that our... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after supporting the Johnson amendment, which would have provided paid sick and family leave for employees of small businesses.“It is essential we provide economic relief for individuals and businesses suffering from the impact of the coronavirus, including by providing paid sick and family leave to employees of small businesses. The proposal I supported would have provided this relief without imposing any cost on small businesses,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement on the National Day of Prayer. President Trump declared today a National Day of Prayer for all individuals affected by the coronavirus and for our national response efforts. “As Americans, when confronted with fear and challenges, we turn to prayer. The coronavirus is no exception. I encourage all Americans to join Kay and me in praying for our president, public health workers and all the families who have been impacted. We are also... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after President Trump declared a national emergency. This declaration would provide federal assistance and support to states for research and development of vaccinations, screening, treatment and other needs associated with the coronavirus. It would also waive certain regulations to provide greater flexibility for local response efforts. Additionally, the president is waiving government-issued student loan interest providing relief... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on yesterday’s air strikes against Kata’ib Hizbollah facilities across Iraq: “President Trump made the right decision ordering yesterday’s strike on the Iranian-backed militia Kata’ib Hizbollah’s facilities. It was a defensive, proportionate and necessary response to the attack that killed Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts of Owasso, Okla., and Army Spc.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01), expressed deep sadness over the loss of two American service members in Iraq on Wednesday, including Staff Sergeant Marshal Roberts from the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, a unit of the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma National Guard. “On Wednesday night, we lost an American hero: Staff Sergeant Marshal Roberts of Owasso,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) issued the following statement after the first coronavirus case on an Oklahoma military base was confirmed today:“With the first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 on Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, I commend Altus and all of Oklahoma’s military installations for taking every precaution necessary to minimize any risk to the health and safety of our service members and the surrounding communities.“My prayers are with the service member and... Continue Reading »
