U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021:“Just as Congress has done for the last 59 years in a row, we have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This Conference Agreement fulfills our most important constitutional duty: to provide for the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this week to reintroduce the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, a bill that urges the U.S. State Department to use its statutory authority to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This measure requires the State Department to report to Congress about whether the Muslim Brotherhood meets the legal criteria for designation. U.S.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered opening remarks at the annual "pass the gavel" meeting, which is an opportunity for members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to meet and work together to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the defense authorization bill. Each year, the chairmanship of the NDAA conference committee alternates between the two chambers. This year, House Armed Services Committee... Continue Reading »
The bipartisan leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), met today with the conference committee for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA).This meeting, known as “pass the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.VA.), applauded the Commerce Committee’s inclusion of their bill to improve education and training curriculum at aviation maintenance technician schools as part of S. 3969, the Aircraft Safety and Certification Reform Act of 2020, which the committee passed today.The Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019 would establish performance-based... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on plans to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan and Iraq: “I have been assured by Acting Secretary of Defense Miller and the president’s national security adviser, Ambassador O’Brien, that they are consulting with our allies, and that, with their plan, we will be able to carry out our mission of protecting the American people from terrorist attacks originating in Afghanistan,... Continue Reading »
Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) spoke on the Senate floor about the struggle in Western Sahara. Last week, while most of the world was focused on our election and the pending results, a very significant action was taking place halfway around the world in Western Sahara. Simply put, Morocco chose that time – likely purposely – to threaten to push back on protests by Western Saharans on their own land. This seems simple, but you have to remember how we got here, and why the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) applauded today’s announcement from the Department of Labor (DOL) that employers in Bartlesville, Broken Arrow and Jay, Okla., have been selected as awardees as part of the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. “As we mark Veterans Day, it is an important reminder of everything our military sacrifices to serve our nation. When men and women leave the Armed Forces, we need to make sure their experiences are transferrable to civilian life with high-paid, skilled jobs.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today joined the Rotary Club of Tulsa for a video conference: “I had a great virtual discussion this morning with the Rotary Club of Tulsa,” said Inhofe. “We talked about the importance of ensuring Oklahoma’s veterans are given the highest level of care and quality of life they have earned. I am proud of the work we have gotten done for our nation’s veterans, particularly in Oklahoma where I have worked hard to ensure we have capable leadership and state of the art... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on today’s leadership changes at the Department of Defense: “I want to thank Secretary Esper for his service – for prioritizing implementation of the National Defense Strategy, for thinking critically about how the Pentagon operates, and for always putting our service members first. “I just spoke with Acting Secretary of Defense Miller, and I look forward to working with him to... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement regarding leadership changes at National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): “A short while ago, I spoke with Administrator Gordon-Hagerty, who is an exemplary public servant and remarkable leader of the National Nuclear Security Administration. That the Secretary of Energy effectively demanded her resignation during this time of uncertainty demonstrates he doesn’t know... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the successful hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. “I’m pleased with the successful hostage rescue mission in Nigeria to protect American lives. This only highlights the importance of our ongoing presence and partnership in West Africa. I commend President Trump, Secretary Esper, our service members and our international partners for a job well done.” Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett was confirmed by a vote of 52-48.View and download Sen. Inhofe’s reaction video here.“It was an honor to vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett today to the Supreme Court,” Inhofe said. “Time and time again, Judge Barrett has shown her commitment to upholding the rule of law and Constitution throughout her career. I know she will continue to make the... Continue Reading »
Yesterday, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) spoke on the Senate floor honoring the heroic service of Tulsa Police Officer Aurash Zarkeshan. Officer Zarkeshan was attacked earlier this year during a routine traffic stop and is continuing to recover. As Prepared for Delivery: Earlier this year, Aurash Zarkeshan or “Zark” as his friends and family knew him, was overjoyed. He had just graduated from the Tulsa Police Academy and was sworn in as a police officer. Zark was a... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) received the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization. The NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award is the most prestigious legislative recognition given out by the NFIB.“I feel honored to receive the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business,” Inhofe said. “The NFIB is a strong advocate for small businesses... Continue Reading »
Yesterday, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) spoke on the Senate floor in support of President Trump’s judicial nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to serve on the United States Supreme Court. As Prepared for Delivery:I’m also proud to speak today in support of President Trump’s outstanding nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. To say Judge Barrett is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court is an understatement. Judge Barrett is the definition of a leader, and her record of... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), issued the following statement after Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis announced his retirement today:“Burns Hargis is an outstanding public servant for Oklahoma State University and I am truly sad to hear of his retirement,” Inhofe said. “When I encouraged him to take the position of president years ago, no one knew the lasting impact he would have on the Cowboy family. Burns and his wife, Ann, made Oklahoma State University a home for thousands of... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) yesterday joined the Norman Chamber of Commerce for a video conference: “It was a pleasure to talk to the Norman Chamber of Commerce virtually this week,” said Inhofe. “We discussed a number of topics, including COVID-19 relief efforts and creating jobs under the direction of President Trump, the importance of local infrastructure projects and the well-qualified Judge Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. The people of the Norman community have an incredibly... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement after meeting with Judge Barrett today. Judge Barrett has been nominated by President Trump to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States: Photos, b-roll and Sen. Inhofe’s reaction video from the meeting can be found here.“Meeting Judge Barrett today left me incredibly impressed and made clear that President Trump is spot on—she is the right choice for the Supreme Court. There is a document I always say... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe made the following statement today after Senate Democrats blocked a motion by Leader McConnell to pass another round of needed coronavirus relief: “Twice in one week, Senate Democrats have blocked commonsense efforts to provide needed relief to Americans,” Inhofe said. “Our country needs additional help as we recover from the effects of COVID-19—plain and simple. This isn’t about politics, it’s about helping our economy recover, our state and local educators, health care... Continue Reading »
