History of Jim Inhofe in Timeline
James Mountain Inhofe was an American politician who served as a United States senator from Oklahoma from 1994 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he was the longest-serving U.S. senator from Oklahoma. Inhofe held various elected offices in the state of Oklahoma for nearly sixty years, from 1966 to 2023.
1934: Inhofe Family Moves to Tulsa
In 1934, James Inhofe's family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his father pursued business ventures in the insurance industry.
August 1942: Inhofe Family Relocates to Tulsa
In August 1942, the Inhofe family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, as James Inhofe's father, Perry, became president of the National Mutual Casualty company. This move marked a significant shift for the family.
1942: Inhofe Family Settles in Tulsa
The Inhofe family's move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, became permanent in 1942. This is where James Inhofe would spend most of his life and eventually launch his political career.
1949: Inhofe's Father Faces Labor Board Order
In 1949, Perry Inhofe's company, Tri-State, was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to halt practices that discouraged union membership. This event may have shaped James Inhofe's views on labor relations.
1950: Perry Inhofe Sponsors Miss Tulsa
Perry Inhofe, James Inhofe's father, served as the official sponsor for Miss Tulsa and Miss Oklahoma winner Louise O'Brien in 1950. This reflects the family's involvement in the Tulsa community.
1950: Inhofe Family Enters Politics
The Inhofe family's involvement in Oklahoma politics began in the 1950s. This era marked their increasing engagement in the political landscape.
1952: Inhofe Excels in Track and Field
As a high school student in 1952, James Inhofe showcased his athletic abilities as part of a mile relay quartet team that set a new school record with a time of 3:32.6.
January 1953: Inhofe Elected Treasurer of Brones Club
James Inhofe's leadership qualities were evident early on, as he was elected treasurer of the Brones social club in January 1953 during his high school years.
1954: Perry Inhofe Supports Governor Gary's Campaign
Perry Inhofe, James Inhofe's father, played an active role in Democratic Governor Raymond D. Gary's successful 1954 campaign. This demonstrated the family's early political leanings.
1956: Inhofe Drafted into the Army
In 1956, James Inhofe received his draft letter from the United States Army, marking the beginning of his military service.
1956: Inhofe Receives Draft Notice
In 1956, James Inhofe's life took a significant turn when he received his draft notice from the United States Army. This marked the beginning of his military service.
1957: Inhofe Begins Military Service
James Inhofe began his military service in 1957, serving primarily in a quartermaster role. This experience likely shaped his later views on military and defense issues.
1958: Inhofe Completes Military Service
James Inhofe completed his military service in 1958, having attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class. He then began to focus on his career in the insurance business.
1958: Perry Inhofe Jr. Runs for Office
Perry Inhofe Jr., James Inhofe's brother, ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a Democrat. Despite his loss, this event highlighted the family's growing political ambitions.
December 19, 1959: Marriage to Kay Kirkpatrick
Jim Inhofe married Kay Kirkpatrick on December 19, 1959. They had four children together.
1959: Inhofe's Graduation Timeline Disputed
Reports surfaced in 1959, suggesting discrepancies in James Inhofe's graduation timeline. These reports alleged that he participated in graduation ceremonies but did not fulfill all the requirements for his degree.
1961: Inhofe Joins Family Business
In 1961, James Inhofe joined his father's insurance company as vice president. This marked the beginning of his career in the business world.
February 1966: Inhofe Launches First Campaign
James Inhofe's political journey began in February 1966 when he launched his first campaign as a Republican candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives's 71st district.
November 1966: Inhofe Wins Special Election
James Inhofe secured a victory in the November 1966 special election for the Oklahoma House of Representatives 70th district, earning his first elected office.
December 29, 1966: Inhofe Sworn into Oklahoma House
On December 29, 1966, James Inhofe was officially sworn into the Oklahoma House of Representatives, marking the beginning of his first term as a state representative.
1966: Inhofe Elected to Oklahoma House of Representatives
James Inhofe began his career in public service in 1966 when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
1966: Inhofe Begins Political Career
James Inhofe's long career in Oklahoma politics began in 1966 when he was elected to represent the 70th district in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
1968: Inhofe Declines Re-Election to Oklahoma House
In 1968, James Inhofe, after serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, made the decision to forgo seeking re-election. Instead, he set his sights on a seat in the state senate.
1968: Oklahoma Senate Election
In 1968, Jim Inhofe ran for an open seat in the Oklahoma Senate after Beauchamp Selman announced his retirement. He won the Republican primary against Madison J. Bowers and the general election against Democrat Jerry L. Goodman with support from Governor Dewey Bartlett. This victory marked the beginning of Inhofe's political career and led to him being considered as a potential future U.S. Senate candidate.
1969: Chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Convention
In 1969, Jim Inhofe served as the chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Convention and supported efforts to liberalize abortion laws in Oklahoma.
1969: Bill to Bring a Retired Submarine to Oklahoma
In 1969, Jim Inhofe sponsored a bill to bring a retired U.S. Navy submarine to Oklahoma. While his initial choice, the USS Piranha, proved unsuitable for the Arkansas River, the USS Batfish was selected as an alternative.
1969: Inhofe Elected to Oklahoma Senate
James Inhofe's political career continued to rise in 1969 when he was elected to the Oklahoma Senate.
June 17, 1970: Perry Inhofe Passes Away
On June 17, 1970, Perry Inhofe, James Inhofe's father, passed away due to a heart attack. Following this event, James Inhofe took over the leadership of the family insurance businesses.
September 1970: USS Batfish Considered as Alternative
In September 1970, the USS Batfish was considered as an alternative to the USS Piranha to be brought to Oklahoma.
1970: Mayoral Election Victory
In 1970, Jim Inhofe won the Tulsa mayoral election against Rodger Randle, marking his first general election victory in six years. This election was notable for breaking fundraising records at the time.
1970: Inhofe Takes Over Family Business
Following his father's death in 1970, James Inhofe assumed leadership of the family's insurance businesses. He became president of Quaker Life Insurance.
1970: Appointment to Oklahoma Narcotics and Drug Abuse Council
In 1970, Governor Dewey Bartlett appointed Jim Inhofe as a member of the inaugural Oklahoma Narcotics and Drug Abuse Council. That same year, Inhofe declined recruitment to run for Treasurer of Oklahoma and was elected minority caucus chair of the Oklahoma Senate.
December 9, 1971: USS Batfish Given to Oklahoma
On December 9, 1971, the USS Batfish was officially given to the State of Oklahoma.
1971: Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party's State Convention
In 1971, Jim Inhofe served as the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party's State Convention.
July 4, 1972: USS Batfish Unofficial Opening
On July 4, 1972, the USS Batfish was unofficially opened to the public in Oklahoma.
1972: Support and Retraction of the Equal Rights Amendment
In 1972, Jim Inhofe initially supported the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Oklahoma but later retracted his support.
1972: Co-Chair for Nixon's Presidential Campaign
In 1972, Jim Inhofe served as the co-chair for Richard Nixon's presidential campaign in Oklahoma, working alongside Ralph G. Thompson. Inhofe played a key role in securing an endorsement from Barry Goldwater to sway conservative Republicans. He also represented Oklahoma at the Republican National Convention.
1972: Consideration as Gubernatorial Candidate
Jim Inhofe's potential as a gubernatorial candidate was recognized as early as 1972.
May 1973: Open Campaigning for Governor
By May 1973, Jim Inhofe was openly campaigning for Governor of Oklahoma, although he had not yet officially announced his candidacy.
1973: USS Batfish Official Opening
In 1973, the USS Batfish was officially opened to the public on Memorial Day.
1973: Inhofe Earns Degree from University of Tulsa
James Inhofe received his B.A. in economics from the University of Tulsa in 1973. This academic achievement would later become a subject of scrutiny.
May 1974: Official Launch of Gubernatorial Campaign
In May 1974, Jim Inhofe officially launched his campaign for Governor of Oklahoma.
1974: Inhofe's First Gubernatorial Run
In 1974, James Inhofe made his first run for Governor of Oklahoma. Though unsuccessful, this demonstrated his growing political ambitions.
April 1975: Appointment of First Blind Page in Oklahoma History
In April 1975, Jim Inhofe appointed Angela Keele as the first blind page in Oklahoma history.
1975: Death of Mother, Blanche M. Inhofe
Jim Inhofe's mother, Blanche M. Inhofe, died in 1975.
February 19, 1976: Official Announcement for Congressional Candidacy
On February 19, 1976, Jim Inhofe officially announced his candidacy for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district.
1976: Inhofe Runs for U.S. House
In 1976, James Inhofe ran for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Although he did not win, this was another stepping stone in his political career.
1976: Consideration and Announcement of Congressional Campaign
In 1976, despite initially agreeing to support Frank Keating's campaign for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, Jim Inhofe announced his own candidacy on February 19th.
1977: Inhofe's Time in State Senate Ends
James Inhofe's time in the Oklahoma Senate came to an end in 1977. He had served in the state legislature for over a decade.
January 1978: Consideration and Announcement of Mayoral Campaign
In January 1978, despite initially denying interest in a mayoral run, Jim Inhofe announced his campaign for Mayor of Tulsa in February.
1978: Inhofe Elected Mayor of Tulsa
James Inhofe was elected Mayor of Tulsa in 1978. This marked a significant victory in his political career.
January 1979: First Swearing In of a Governor in Tulsa
In January 1979, Inhofe attended the first swearing in of a Governor of Oklahoma to occur in Tulsa. George Nigh was sworn in to serve the last five days of David Boren's term after Boren was elected to the U.S. Senate.
December 1979: Inhofe Announces Re-election Campaign
In December 1979, Inhofe officially announced his re-election campaign for a second term as mayor of Tulsa.
1979: David Boren Begins Serving in the U.S. Senate
David Boren began serving in the U.S. Senate in 1979. Inhofe would later succeed him in 1994.
1982: Inhofe Re-elected as Mayor of Tulsa
Inhofe was re-elected as Mayor of Tulsa in 1982 with 59% of the vote.
1984: Inhofe's Tenure as Mayor Ends
In 1984, James Inhofe's time as Mayor of Tulsa came to an end. He had served in this role for six years.
1984: Inhofe Loses Re-election Campaign
Inhofe lost his 1984 re-election campaign for Mayor of Tulsa to Terry Young.
1986: Inhofe Runs for U.S. House of Representatives
When Representative James R. Jones retired to run for the U.S. Senate in 1986, Inhofe ran for the 1st District and won.
1987: Inhofe Votes Against Reagan's Budget
In 1987, Inhofe voted against President Ronald Reagan's budget, which included tax increases and no increase in defense spending.
1987: Inhofe Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
James Inhofe was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987, representing Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District.
1988: Inhofe Wins Re-election to the U.S. House
In 1988, Inhofe won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democrat Kurt Glassco.
1990: Inhofe Defeats Glassco Again
In 1990, Inhofe defeated Kurt Glassco again in the election for the U.S. House of Representatives.
1992: Inhofe Re-elected to the U.S. House
Inhofe was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 with 53% of the vote.
1993: Inhofe Leads Effort to Reform Discharge Petition Rule
In 1993, Inhofe came to national attention when he led the effort to reform the House's discharge petition rule, which the House leadership had used to bottle up bills in committee.
1994: Discrepancy in Inhofe's Education Timeline Emerges
During his 1994 campaign for the U.S. Senate, inconsistencies in James Inhofe's educational background came to light, raising questions about the timeline of his degree completion.
1994: Inhofe Elected to the U.S. Senate
In 1994, Inhofe was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding David Boren who resigned to become president of the University of Oklahoma.
1994: Senate Campaign
In 1994, Jim Inhofe, a trained pilot, used his plane to campaign across Oklahoma for the U.S. Senate, visiting nearly every town.
1994: Inhofe Becomes Longest-Serving U.S. Senator from Oklahoma
Inhofe served as a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma from 1994 to 2023, making him the longest-serving senator from the state.
1994: Inhofe's Controversial Campaign Slogan
Senator Inhofe's 1994 Senate campaign used the slogan "God, guns, and gays," reflecting his conservative stance and sparking debate and criticism for its divisive nature.
1995: Inhofe Votes Against Affirmative Action
In 1995, Senator Inhofe voted to prohibit the use of federal funds for affirmative action hiring practices, signifying his opposition to such policies.
1996: Inhofe Wins First Full Term in the Senate
After serving the last two years of David Boren's term, Inhofe won his first full term in the U.S. Senate in 1996.
December 1997: Inhofe Criticizes Kyoto Protocol
In December 1997, Inhofe called the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a "political, economic, and national security fiasco."
1997: Inhofe Votes to End Funding for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses
In 1997, Senator Inhofe voted in favor of legislation that would have eliminated special funding designated for businesses owned by minorities and women. Although the bill, which targeted a program designed to support these businesses in securing federally funded transportation contracts, did not pass, it underscored Inhofe's stance on government assistance programs.
February 12, 1999: Vote on Bill Clinton Impeachment
On February 12, 1999, Jim Inhofe voted to convict and remove President Bill Clinton from office.
June 1999: Inhofe Stalls Hormel's Nomination Over Sexual Orientation
In 1999, Senator Inhofe, along with other Republican senators, played a role in delaying the confirmation of James Hormel, a gay man nominated as US Ambassador to Luxembourg, for over 20 months due to his sexual orientation. President Clinton eventually used a recess appointment to install Hormel as the first openly gay US ambassador, drawing Inhofe's ire and prompting him to retaliate by obstructing seven more of Clinton's appointments.
November 2002: Inhofe Compares EPA to Gestapo
Before the Republicans regained control of the Senate in November 2002, Inhofe had compared the United States Environmental Protection Agency to a Gestapo bureaucracy.
2002: ACLU Rating
In 2002, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) gave Jim Inhofe a 20% rating, indicating an anti-racial civil rights record.
2002: Inhofe Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Inhofe was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002.
January 2003: Inhofe Becomes Chair of Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
In January 2003, Inhofe became Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
July 28, 2003: Inhofe's "Global Warming Hoax" Speech
On July 28, 2003, during a Senate floor speech, Jim Inhofe called manmade global warming the "greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people", citing contrarian scientists and criticizing the attribution of climate change to humans.
December 2003: Inhofe Distributes "Global Warming Hoax" Brochure
In December 2003, Inhofe distributed a brochure at a UN Climate Change meeting in Milan reiterating his "hoax" statement and criticizing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
2003: Inhofe Begins Promoting Climate Change Denial
In 2003, Jim Inhofe became a prominent Republican figure promoting climate change denial. He was elected Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
2003: Inhofe First Chairs Environment and Public Works Committee
James Inhofe first became Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in 2003, a position that would allow him to significantly influence environmental policy.
October 2004: Inhofe Reiterates "Global Warming Hoax" Claim in Senate Speech
Jim Inhofe reiterated his claim that global warming is a hoax during an October 2004 Senate speech, arguing against the scientific consensus on climate change.
2004: Inhofe Questions Witnesses About Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse
As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Inhofe was among the panelists questioning witnesses about the 2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse.
January 2005: Inhofe Compares Global Warming to Separation of Church and State
In January 2005, Inhofe stated that global warming was the "second-largest hoax" after the separation of church and state, according to Bloomberg News.
August 28, 2005: Michael Crichton Testifies at Inhofe's Climate Change Hearing
On August 28, 2005, Michael Crichton, invited by Inhofe, appeared as an expert witness at a climate change hearing, disputing scientist Mann's work.
2005: Detainee Treatment Act Passed
The Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 was passed to prohibit "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of individuals in U.S. Government custody.
May 2006: Inhofe Amendment Debated
The Inhofe amendment to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which aimed to make English the official US language, sparked debate in Congress in May 2006.
May 18, 2006: Inhofe Amendment Passes
Senator Inhofe's amendment to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed on May 18, 2006, proposed making English the national language of the US and mandated English proficiency tests for new citizens. This amendment faced opposition from some Democrats and a few Republicans.
September 2006: Inhofe Blames Media and Hollywood for Exaggerating Global Warming
In September 2006, Inhofe delivered a Senate speech where he blamed the media, Hollywood, and pop culture for exaggerating the threat of global warming.
2006: Chris Mooney Criticizes Inhofe in "The Republican War on Science"
Chris Mooney, in his 2006 book "The Republican War on Science", accuses Jim Inhofe of politicizing and misusing climate change science.
2006: Inhofe Votes Against the Detainee Treatment Act
In 2006, Inhofe was one of only nine senators to vote against the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, which prohibits "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of individuals in U.S. Government custody.
2006: Inhofe Introduces Senate Amendment 4682
In 2006, Jim Inhofe, alongside Kit Bond, introduced Senate Amendment 4682, aiming to change the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers, a move criticized by the League of Conservation Voters.
December 31, 2006: NAACP Rating
On December 31, 2006, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) gave Jim Inhofe a 7% rating, indicating an anti-civil rights and anti-affirmative action record.
February 2007: Inhofe Claims Mainstream Science Attributes Climate Change to Natural Causes
During a February 2007 interview with Fox News, Inhofe said mainstream science increasingly supports the idea that climate change is caused by natural factors.
2007: Inhofe's First Term as EPW Chairman Ends
James Inhofe's first term as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee came to an end in 2007.
2007: Inhofe Receives Funding from Fossil Fuel Industry
Starting in 2007, Jim Inhofe received financial contributions from the fossil fuel industry, including Exxon, as reported by the Dirty Energy Money database.
June 2008: Support for Veteran's Educational Assistance
In June 2008, Jim Inhofe voted to enact Jim Webb's Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, after withdrawing support for a competing bill.
2008: Inhofe's Campaign Runs Ad Deemed Homophobic
During his 2008 campaign, Senator Inhofe faced criticism for an ad featuring a wedding cake topped with two male figures that faded into his opponent's face, which the Associated Press characterized as having "anti-gay overtones."
2008: Inhofe's Largest Campaign Donations Come from Oil and Gas Industry
In the 2008 election cycle, Inhofe's largest campaign donors were from the oil and gas industry, giving $446,900 in donations.
2008: Inhofe Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Inhofe was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008.
2008: Inhofe's Stance on LGBT Issues and Staff Hiring
Senator Inhofe faced strong criticism from LGBT advocacy groups for his consistently low scores on the Human Rights Campaign's position scorecard throughout his tenure. He opposed same-sex marriage, protections against hate crimes based on sexual orientation, and workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. Adding to the criticism, in 2008, Inhofe stated that his office did not employ openly gay staff members due to potential "conflicts of agenda."
May 2009: Inhofe Acknowledges Black Carbon as a Contributor to Global Warming
In May 2009, Jim Inhofe expressed support for the idea that black carbon plays a significant role in contributing to global warming.
November 23, 2009: Inhofe on Climatic Research Unit Email Controversy
As the Climatic Research Unit email controversy emerged, Inhofe stated on November 23, 2009, that the emails validated his stance that scientists were manipulating climate science data.
February 2010: Senate Committee Report on "the CRU Controversy"
In February 2010, the minority group of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, under Inhofe's leadership, released a report on the "CRU Controversy", listing 17 scientists as "key players".
July 2010: Inhofe Disputes Global Warming Evidence
In July 2010, Senator Inhofe publicly disputed the scientific consensus on global warming, claiming a cold period had started nine years prior and citing scientists while contradicting a NOAA report stating that the summer of 2010 was the hottest on record since 1880.
2010: Inhofe's Largest Campaign Donations Continue to Come from Oil and Gas Industry
In 2010, Inhofe's largest campaign donors continued to be from the oil and gas industry, giving $429,950.
2011: Inhofe Testifies on Climate Change Views
During a 2011 House committee hearing, Senator Inhofe admitted he once believed in anthropogenic global warming but changed his stance. He defended his knowledge on the subject despite questioning from Congressman Jay Inslee.
2011: Attribution of Primary Win to "Kasten Plan"
In a 2011 interview, Jim Inhofe attributed his primary win in the 1976 congressional race to the successful implementation of the "Kasten Plan," a system of precinct organization. During the campaign, he also actively criticized Democratic presidential candidate Fred Harris.
2011: Inhofe's Account of 1974 Gubernatorial Election
In a 2011 interview, Jim Inhofe shared his account of the 1974 gubernatorial election. He claimed that he and David Boren had agreed to campaign against incumbent Governor David Hall, with Boren challenging him in the Democratic primary and Inhofe running as the Republican candidate. However, Boren's victory in the Democratic primary disrupted their plan.
2012: Pilot's Bill of Rights
In 2012, Jim Inhofe authored the Pilot's Bill of Rights bill, drawing on his experience as a pilot.
2012: Inhofe Publishes Book on Global Warming Conspiracy
Jim Inhofe published "The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future" in 2012, where he presents his global warming conspiracy theory.
2012: Inhofe Urges Withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Senator Inhofe co-authored and signed a letter to President Trump in 2012, urging the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement. This action aligned with the over $529,000 in donations he received from the oil and gas industry since that year.
May 2013: Opposition to Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund
In May 2013, Jim Inhofe defended his vote against a relief fund for Hurricane Sandy, while supporting federal aid for Oklahoma after tornadoes, claiming the situations were "totally different." He argued that the Sandy funding involved exploitation of the tragedy, which he didn't expect to happen in Oklahoma.
November 10, 2013: Death of Son, Perry Inhofe
On November 10, 2013, Jim Inhofe's son, Perry Inhofe, tragically passed away in a plane crash in Owasso, Oklahoma. Perry was flying solo for the first time after training in a newly acquired Mitsubishi MU-2.
2014: Warmest Year on Record
In 2014, NOAA and NASA reported it to be the warmest year globally in the temperature record.
2014: Inhofe Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Inhofe was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014.
January 21, 2015: Inhofe Chairs Senate Committee, Addresses Climate Change
Upon returning as chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on January 21, 2015, Senator Inhofe acknowledged climate change's existence while attributing it to natural cycles rather than human activity, despite reports from NOAA and NASA confirming 2014 as the warmest year globally.
February 26, 2015: Inhofe's Snowball Stunt
Senator Inhofe brought a snowball onto the Senate floor on February 26, 2015, using it as a prop to dismiss concerns about global warming, suggesting ongoing cold weather disproved the phenomenon.
March 19, 2015: Inhofe Introduces FRESH Act
Senator Inhofe introduced the FRESH Act on March 19, 2015, aiming to shift control of hydraulic fracturing regulations from federal to state governments, asserting that fracking had no history of groundwater contamination in Oklahoma.
2015: Inhofe Returns as EPW Chairman
In 2015, James Inhofe once again took on the role of Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, further solidifying his influence on environmental issues.
2015: Inhofe Condemns Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling
Senator Inhofe publicly condemned the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, reflecting his opposition to marriage equality.
March 2016: Opposition to Obama's Supreme Court Nominee
In March 2016, Jim Inhofe argued against considering Obama's Supreme Court nominee, stating the decision should be left to the people in the upcoming presidential election.
2016: Endorsement of John Kasich
In the early stages of the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Jim Inhofe endorsed John Kasich.
October 2017: Inhofe Supports Israel Anti-Boycott Act
In October 2017, Inhofe showed his support for the controversial Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720), which proposed making it a federal crime for US citizens to support boycotts against Israel, including Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, in response to Israeli government actions.
December 2017: Inhofe Becomes Acting Chairman of Armed Services Committee
As John McCain battled cancer, James Inhofe stepped in as Acting Chairman of the Armed Services Committee in December 2017.
2017: Inhofe Blames "Sanctuary Cities" for Las Vegas Shooting
Following the tragic 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Senator Inhofe attributed the event to the "culture of sanctuary cities," sparking controversy with this statement.
2017: Inhofe Blocks State Department Nominee Over Western Sahara
In 2017, Senator Inhofe, a supporter of the Polisario Front and advocate for Western Sahara's independence, blocked J. Peter Pham's nomination for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs due to differing views on the Western Sahara issue.
2017: Inhofe Ranked Most Conservative Member of Congress
Inhofe was ranked the most conservative member of Congress on the 2017 GovTrack report card.
August 2018: John McCain Dies; Inhofe Becomes Acting Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee
When John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was absent for medical treatment, Inhofe became acting chairman. After McCain died in August 2018, Inhofe became the committee chair.
September 6, 2018: Inhofe Becomes Chairman of Armed Services Committee
Following the death of John McCain, James Inhofe became the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 6, 2018.
December 2018: Raytheon Stock Purchase
In December 2018, Jim Inhofe bought a significant amount of stock in Raytheon, a defense contractor with many Pentagon contracts, shortly after lobbying for increased military spending, raising conflict of interest concerns. Inhofe stated a third-party advisor handled his investments and sold the stock soon after.
2018: Inhofe Again Ranked Most Conservative Member of Congress
Inhofe was ranked the most conservative member of Congress for 2018 by GovTrack.
March 6, 2019: Inhofe Announces Plan to Reinforce Trump's Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Agreement
On March 6, 2019, Inhofe said he intended to put language in the next defense authorization act to reinforce Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement and reintroduce severe sanctions on Tehran.
2019: Inhofe Helps Secure Passage of National Defense Authorization Act
As acting chair, and then chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Inhofe helped secure passage of the $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.
2019: Inhofe Ranked Fifth Most Conservative Senator
In 2019, Inhofe was ranked as the fifth-most conservative member of the U.S. Senate by GovTrack, with a score of 0.91 out of 1.
February 5, 2020: First Vote to Acquit Donald Trump
On February 5, 2020, Jim Inhofe voted to acquit President Donald Trump in his first impeachment trial.
September 2020: Support for Trump's Supreme Court Nominee
In September 2020, Jim Inhofe supported an immediate vote on Trump's Supreme Court nominee following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, despite it being close to the presidential election.
December 2020: Inhofe Criticizes Trump Administration's Recognition of Morocco's Claim Over Western Sahara
Following the December 2020 Israel-Morocco normalization agreement, Senator Inhofe expressed strong disapproval of the Trump administration's recognition of Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, characterizing the decision as a betrayal of the Sahrawi people's rights.
2020: Inhofe Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Inhofe was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020.
February 3, 2021: Inhofe Transitions to Ranking Member
On February 3, 2021, James Inhofe transitioned from Chairman to Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
February 13, 2021: Second Vote to Acquit Donald Trump
On February 13, 2021, Jim Inhofe voted to acquit President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.
April 2021: Support for Earmarks
In April 2021, Jim Inhofe expressed support for bringing back earmarks to the United States Senate.
May 28, 2021: Abstention from January 6th Commission Vote
On May 28, 2021, Jim Inhofe abstained from voting on the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
July 15, 2021: Inhofe Announces Plan to Retire
On July 15, 2021, Inhofe told Tulsa World he planned to retire at the end of his current term, in 2027.
2021: Reflections on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
In 2021, Jim Inhofe, who had his pilot's license since 28 and flew a Van's Aircraft RV-8, spoke about his 20-year attendance at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, highlighting the tradition of sleeping in a tent. He also mentioned multiple emergency landings he experienced during his flying career.
2021: Inhofe Opposes Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal
Senator Inhofe voiced his opposition to President Biden's 2021 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. He advocated for a continued military presence in the country until the conditions outlined in the 2020 US-Taliban Agreement were completely fulfilled.
February 2022: Inhofe Confirms Plan to Resign
In February 2022, The New York Times reported that Inhofe was planning to resign at the end of the 117th Congress.
January 3, 2023: End of Inhofe's Senate Term
January 3, 2023, marked the end of James Inhofe's term as a U.S. Senator, concluding his long career in the Senate.
February 2023: Inhofe's Reason for Retirement Revealed
In February 2023, it was reported that the primary reason for Inhofe's retirement was related to him suffering symptoms of long COVID, after an initial infection he had described as "very mild".
2023: Inhofe Retires from the U.S. Senate
After a long and distinguished career, James Inhofe retired from the U.S. Senate in 2023, marking the end of his time in public office.
July 9, 2024: Death of James Mountain Inhofe
James Mountain Inhofe passed away on July 9, 2024, after a long and impactful career as a politician.
2027: Inhofe's Planned Retirement Date
Inhofe initially planned to retire in 2027, but resigned early in 2023.
