Jim Inhofe * *
American businessman and politician // United States Senator from Oklahoma since November 16, 1994 (Serving with James Lankford) // Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee since February 3, 2021 // former Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee (2018 – 2021) // Military service: United States Army (1956–1958) // born November 17, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa // Education: University of Tulsa (BA) // Republican
American businessman and politician // United States Senator from Oklahoma since November 16, 1994 (Serving with James Lankford) // Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee since February 3, 2021 // former Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee (2018 – 2021) // Military service: United States Army (1956–1958) // born November 17, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa // Education: University of Tulsa (BA) // Republican
9.28.21
“I won’t share my personal recommendation to the president, but I will give you my honest opinion, and my honest opinion and view shaped my recommendation. I recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. And I also recommended earlier in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time. Those are my personal views,” McKenzie told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday under questioning from Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.), the panel’s top Republican.
—Morgan Chalfant, "Top generals contradict Biden, say they advised leaving 2,500 troops in Afghanistan," 28 Sep. 2021 {12:17 PM EDT}
“I won’t share my personal recommendation to the president, but I will give you my honest opinion, and my honest opinion and view shaped my recommendation. I recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. And I also recommended earlier in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time. Those are my personal views,” McKenzie told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday under questioning from Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.), the panel’s top Republican.
—Morgan Chalfant, "Top generals contradict Biden, say they advised leaving 2,500 troops in Afghanistan," 28 Sep. 2021 {12:17 PM EDT}
12.18.20
“The cyber intrusion appears to be ongoing and has the hallmarks of a Russian intelligence operation,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said in a joint statement on Thursday. “One of the immediate steps the Administration can take to improve our cyber posture is signing the NDAA into law,” they added. “The NDAA is always ‘must-pass’ legislation – but this cyber incident makes it even more urgent that the bill become law without further delay.”
—Maggie Miller, "Lawmakers ask whether massive hack amounted to act of war," 18 Dec. 2020 {6:53 AM EST}
“The cyber intrusion appears to be ongoing and has the hallmarks of a Russian intelligence operation,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said in a joint statement on Thursday. “One of the immediate steps the Administration can take to improve our cyber posture is signing the NDAA into law,” they added. “The NDAA is always ‘must-pass’ legislation – but this cyber incident makes it even more urgent that the bill become law without further delay.”
—Maggie Miller, "Lawmakers ask whether massive hack amounted to act of war," 18 Dec. 2020 {6:53 AM EST}
11.17.20
Top Democrat calls Trump's Afghan drawdown 'the right policy decision' as others warn of 'mistake'
—Rebecca Kheel // 17 Nov. 2020 // 4:29 PM EST
11.12.20
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said that he generally didn't think candidates needed access to the briefings. “I’ve always felt that any candidate should not necessarily be involved in those until that person becomes the president-elect and he is not the president-elect," Inhofe said, though media outlets have called the race for Biden.
—Jordain Carney, "Senate GOP calls grow to give Biden access to intelligence briefings," 12 Nov. 2020 {1:49 PM EST}
Top Democrat calls Trump's Afghan drawdown 'the right policy decision' as others warn of 'mistake'
—Rebecca Kheel // 17 Nov. 2020 // 4:29 PM EST
11.12.20
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said that he generally didn't think candidates needed access to the briefings. “I’ve always felt that any candidate should not necessarily be involved in those until that person becomes the president-elect and he is not the president-elect," Inhofe said, though media outlets have called the race for Biden.
—Jordain Carney, "Senate GOP calls grow to give Biden access to intelligence briefings," 12 Nov. 2020 {1:49 PM EST}
9.30.20
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said he didn’t think there was a “clear winner” at the debate but acknowledged “our president was a little too forceful.” “I think you’ll see that will be changed,” he said, advising Trump to “restrain himself a little bit” the next time he faces Biden.
—Alexander Bolton, "GOP lawmakers gloomy, back on defense after debate fiasco," 30 Sep. 2020 {8:56 PM EDT}
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said he didn’t think there was a “clear winner” at the debate but acknowledged “our president was a little too forceful.” “I think you’ll see that will be changed,” he said, advising Trump to “restrain himself a little bit” the next time he faces Biden.
—Alexander Bolton, "GOP lawmakers gloomy, back on defense after debate fiasco," 30 Sep. 2020 {8:56 PM EDT}
2.19.20
GOP chairman after Africa trip: US military drawdown would have 'real and lasting negative consequences'
—Rebecca Kheel // 19 Feb. 2020 // 3:27 PM EST
GOP chairman after Africa trip: US military drawdown would have 'real and lasting negative consequences'
—Rebecca Kheel // 19 Feb. 2020 // 3:27 PM EST
2.12.19
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken climate change skeptic, called the Green New Deal to a political ploy. “We’re trying to save a country here, and anytime they put a personal ideology into something that is more important than the military and everything else, I think is a waste of time,” he said Tuesday of the GOP’s plan to force a vote.
—Jordain Carney, Timothy Cama & Miranda Green, "McConnell to set up vote on Ocasio-Cortez's 'Green New Deal'," 12 Feb. 2019 {2:27 PM EST}
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken climate change skeptic, called the Green New Deal to a political ploy. “We’re trying to save a country here, and anytime they put a personal ideology into something that is more important than the military and everything else, I think is a waste of time,” he said Tuesday of the GOP’s plan to force a vote.
—Jordain Carney, Timothy Cama & Miranda Green, "McConnell to set up vote on Ocasio-Cortez's 'Green New Deal'," 12 Feb. 2019 {2:27 PM EST}
United States Senator from Oklahoma
Incumbent
Assumed office November 16, 1994
Serving with James Lankford
Preceded by David Boren
Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office February 3, 2021
Preceded by Jack Reed
Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee
In office September 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by John McCain
Succeeded by Jack Reed
Chair of the Senate Environment Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by Barbara Boxer
Succeeded by John Barrasso
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by Jim Jeffords
Succeeded by Barbara Boxer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district
In office January 3, 1987 – November 15, 1994
Preceded by James R. Jones
Succeeded by Steve Largent
32nd Mayor of Tulsa
In office May 9, 1978 – May 8, 1984
Preceded by Robert LaFortune
Succeeded by Terry Young
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 35th district
In office January 7, 1969 – January 4, 1977
Preceded by L. Beauchamp Selman
Succeeded by Warren Green
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 70th district
In office January 7, 1967 – January 7, 1969
Preceded by Joseph McGraw
Succeeded by Richard Hancock
Military service
Allegiance: United States
Branch/service: United States Army
Years of service: 1956–1958
Rank: Specialist 4
Born: James Mountain Inhofe
Spouse: Kay Kirkpatrick (m. 1959)
Children: 4
Incumbent
Assumed office November 16, 1994
Serving with James Lankford
Preceded by David Boren
Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office February 3, 2021
Preceded by Jack Reed
Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee
In office September 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by John McCain
Succeeded by Jack Reed
Chair of the Senate Environment Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by Barbara Boxer
Succeeded by John Barrasso
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by Jim Jeffords
Succeeded by Barbara Boxer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district
In office January 3, 1987 – November 15, 1994
Preceded by James R. Jones
Succeeded by Steve Largent
32nd Mayor of Tulsa
In office May 9, 1978 – May 8, 1984
Preceded by Robert LaFortune
Succeeded by Terry Young
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 35th district
In office January 7, 1969 – January 4, 1977
Preceded by L. Beauchamp Selman
Succeeded by Warren Green
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 70th district
In office January 7, 1967 – January 7, 1969
Preceded by Joseph McGraw
Succeeded by Richard Hancock
Military service
Allegiance: United States
Branch/service: United States Army
Years of service: 1956–1958
Rank: Specialist 4
Born: James Mountain Inhofe
Spouse: Kay Kirkpatrick (m. 1959)
Children: 4