U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement after learning of former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s passing: “My relationship with Secretary Rumsfeld seems almost old-fashioned in today’s political environment – we agreed on much, while disagreeing often through thoughtful debate and mutual respect. Kay and I are keeping Joyce and his entire family in our prayers as we join in their grief and honor a devoted patriot and... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), applauded two announcements that the Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program is awarding $100 million to go towards two large highway projects in Oklahoma. Representatives Frank Lucas (OK-03), Tom Cole (OK-04), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Kevin Hern (OK-01) and Stephanie Bice (OK-05) also praised the respective projects in their districts.“It is welcome news to see more than $100 million in INFRA grant funding come... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today regarding last night's defensive airstrikes against Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region:"Iran’s persistent attacks on American personnel via its proxies cannot be tolerated. While I commend President Biden’s defensive strike on the proxies’ facilities in Syria and Iraq, I believe these actions are overdue and highlight the continued need for the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today praised the Supreme Court decision to overturn an appellate court ruling that had limited the Environmental Protection Agency's power to exempt struggling gasoline makers from requirements to blend ethanol into the nation's fuel supply. “The Supreme Court’s decision today is a major win for Oklahoma energy—and the right decision under the law. Small refinery exemptions protect thousands of jobs. Imposing arbitrary, unlawful limitations on refiners’... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, met with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan yesterday. “Yesterday, I relayed my commitment to President Ghani and the people of Afghanistan — especially the thousands of interpreters, translators and their families who aided our cause in the country,” Inhofe said. “I promised to keep the pressure on the Biden Administration not to abandon the country and let the Taliban and other terrorist organizations,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today joined Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, and other Senate Republican colleagues at a press conference to discuss President Biden’s defense budget, which Sen. Inhofe has described as “wholly inadequate.” “I think most of you know, and if you don’t, you need to know: Senator Sullivan is the [Ranking Member] of the Readiness Subcommittee. I was Chairman of... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned witnesses about the deplorable state of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) facilities and how the proposed budget will support much-needed facility maintenance. Witnesses included: Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy; and Dr. Charles Verdon, Acting Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Acting Administrator, NNSA.Inhofe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered opening remarks about preserving funding for the United States’ nuclear deterrent at a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the Department of Energy’s Atomic Energy Defense Activities. Witnesses include: Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy; and Dr. Charles Verdon, Acting Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Acting Administrator, National Nuclear Security... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today spoke on the Senate floor about the bipartisan Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act. This legislation requires Ligado to cover the cost for correcting any interference their operations create for the public or private sector.As Prepared for Delivery:Last year, the Federal Communications Commission approved an application by Ligado Networks to repurpose federal spectrum in a way that... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today in response to the Biden Administration’s decision to withhold additional aid to Ukraine: “Recently, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan admitted that the Administration blocked emergency military aid to Ukraine earlier this year as a response to Russian deployment of thousands of troops and military equipment in and around Ukraine. He further explained the... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) held a press conference with key stakeholders to discuss the negative impact the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Ligado order will have on the daily life of Americans and announce the introduction of the bipartisan RETAIN GPS Act. The Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act requires Ligado to cover the cost for correcting any interference their operations create for the public or... Continue Reading »
Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) voted against the motion to proceed to the For the People Act, far-left legislation that seeks to do the exact opposite of its name and would actually undermine the integrity of Oklahoma’s elections. “Today, Senate Democrats did exactly what we knew they would—they forced a vote on their partisan, misnamed ‘For the People Act.’ While Oklahoma’s elections are fair, safe and secure, this bill would upend important safeguards our state has in place while also... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned witnesses at the committee’s annual posture hearing for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Witnesses included: Thomas Harker, Acting Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; and General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. Inhofe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, before asking a question, I'm going to ask Admiral Gilday to share with... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced S. 2166, the Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act or RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act today. The April 2020 Ligado Order from the FCC recognized the likelihood of interference to GPS signals and requires Ligado to pay the federal government the costs for repairs.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released letters from the nation’s seven most senior military officials describing their personal views and best military advice on the proposed Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021 (MJIIPA). Three- and four-star military officials, as a requirement of their Senate confirmation, commit to providing, if asked, their personal views on a matter, even if those views differ... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered opening remarks the committee’s annual posture hearing for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.Witnesses included: Thomas Harker, Acting Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; and General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.As Prepared for Delivery: Thank you, Chairman Reed. I thank our witnesses for being here today and for... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and all of their Republican colleagues on the committee in sending a letter to question the basis for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to repeal and replace the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule. “After the administration’s continued commitments to transparency, engagement, and... Continue Reading »
This week, U.S. Sen, Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and a group of 10 other senators demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas immediately release the DHS blueprint for the Biden Administration’s immigration policies. The blueprint details plans to expand and overhaul the legal immigration system and has been released to the New York Times, but not to Congress or the American people. Joining the letter are Sens.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today criticized President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request for the Air Force and Space Force at the committee’s annual Air Force posture hearing. Witnesses include: John Roth, Acting Secretary of the Air Force; General Charles “C.Q.” Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; and General John Raymond, Chief of Space Operations.As Prepared for Delivery:Thank you, Mr. Chairman.Secretary Roth, General... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) this week, along with 13 other Senate Republicans, to reintroduce the Hearing Protection Act, S. 2050, which would provide recreational gun users better access to hearing protection equipment by reclassifying suppressors to regulate them like regular firearms. Suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by an average of 20-35 dB, roughly the same as earplugs or earmuffs. Other co-sponsors include Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Joni... Continue Reading »
