U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s advancement of Oklahoma attorney, Mr. John F. Heil, III, to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma.“I am glad to see the nomination of fellow Tulsan John Heil favorably reported out of committee today,” Inhofe said. “John has extensive experience in both federal and state courts—more than 25 years—and there is no question he will serve... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave opening remarks this morning at a hearing to receive testimony on United States Central Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2021 and the Future Years Defense Program. General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander of United States Central Command, testified.As Prepared for Delivery: Good morning. The Committee meets today to receive testimony on the United States... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander of United States Central Command, this morning at a hearing to receive testimony on United States Central Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2021 and the Future Years Defense Program. Inhofe: General McKenzie, in the past year, in response to the Iranian provocations, we have deployed some... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environmental and Public Works (EPW) Committee, questioned witnesses this morning at an EPW nomination hearing.Nominees included Doug Benevento, nominee to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; The Honorable David A. Wright, nominee to be a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Christopher T. Hanson, nominee to be a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.Click here to watch Inhofe’s... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the Securing All Livestock Equitably (SALE) Act this week. This bipartisan legislation would address the problem of dealer payment default. Quick turnaround between the purchase and resale of cattle by a dealer often leaves the rancher who originally owned the cattle with little recourse if a dealer defaults on a purchase—the livestock has often already been resold. The SALE Act would establish dealer statutory trusts, mimicking existing packer... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned witnesses this morning at a SASC nomination hearing.Nominees included: the Honorable Matthew P. Donovan, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; William Jordan Gillis, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment; and Victor G. Mercado, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities. Inhofe: Now to try to set an example, I’m going to... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after participating in the change of command at Fort Sill. “I am honored to have attended Fort Sill’s change of command. The soldiers and Marines put on a spectacular display as they honored the strong leadership of their commanders,” Inhofe said. “Major General Wilson A. Shoffner’s command and leadership cannot be understated and I applaud his nearly 32 years of... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave opening remarks this morning at a SASC nomination hearing.Nominees included: the Honorable Matthew P. Donovan, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; William Jordan Gillis, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment; and Victor G. Mercado, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities.As Prepared for Delivery:Good morning. The Committee meets today... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) issued the following statement after the first coronavirus case in Oklahoma was confirmed today: “While the news of the first coronavirus case in Oklahoma was confirmed today, I would like to remind Oklahomans that we are taking this seriously,” Inhofe said. “President Trump and Governor Stitt are taking all necessary action to protect our state, and there is no reason to panic with this development. Yesterday in the Senate, we passed an... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), today issued a statement following reports that President Trump will appeal the Tenth Circuit’s decision on small refineries: “We’re encouraged by the reports that the administration will appeal the Tenth Circuit’s decision on... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe voted in favor of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate today. The emergency funding package provides more than $7.7 billion for the research and development of vaccinations, screening, treatment and other needs associated with the coronavirus. “I am glad we could come together and pass this emergency funding package today in the Senate that will ensure we have enough resources for containment efforts,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned witnesses this morning at a SASC hearing on the posture of the Department of the Navy. Witnesses included: Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; and General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps. Inhofe: I was going to start off talking about the fact that we don’t have the 30-year shipbuilding plan.... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave opening remarks this morning at a SASC hearing on the posture of the Department of the Navy. Witnesses include: Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; and General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps. As prepared for delivery: The Committee meets today to receive testimony on the posture of the Department of the Navy and its fiscal... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave opening remarks this afternoon at a SASC hearing on the posture of the Department of Defense. Witnesses include: Dr. Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense, and General Mark Miley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As prepared for delivery: Good afternoon. The Committee meets today to receive testimony on the Department of Defense fiscal year 2021 budget request. I welcome our witnesses and thank... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in writing a letter expressing their strong opposition to an abrupt decision by the Department of Education that jeopardizes funding eligibility for more than 800 rural, low-income schools. In their letter to Secretary Betsy DeVos, the Senators objected to the Department’s abrupt change to the methodology that determines which rural schools are eligible for funding through the Rural... Continue Reading »
Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fl.) to introduce a bipartisan resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the 2022 Winter Olympics out of Communist China and rebid it to a country that respects human rights. This resolution was also sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Sen. Jim Inhofe said,... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) led a letter to EPA Administrator Wheeler urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue granting relief to small refiners as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Inhofe was joined in sending the letter by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho). The full text of the letter to EPA... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) applauded a $1.1 million grant to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma, to improve the critical freight rail infrastructure in the busy port city. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), will be matched with $1.1 million in local investment and is expected to help retain 735 jobs. “Hundreds of jobs at the Port of Catoosa and in the surrounding area rely on accessible rail... 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 hearing on the posture of the U.S. Air Force. Witnesses included the Honorable Barbara Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force, and General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Inhofe’s full statement for the record follows: The Committee meets today to receive testimony on the posture of the U.S. Air Force and its fiscal... Continue Reading »
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s announced that President Trump has nominated Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. to be the next Air Force Chief of Staff: “Congratulations to Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. on his historic nomination to be Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of his 37-year career, he has completed multiple combat tours across the world, is... Continue Reading »
