History of Raphael Warnock in Timeline

Raphael Warnock is the junior United States Senator from Georgia, serving since 2021. A Democrat, he is also the senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, a position he has held since 2005. Warnock's career blends religious leadership with political activism, reflecting a commitment to social justice and community engagement.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 23, 1969: Raphael Warnock Born

On July 23, 1969, Raphael Gamaliel Warnock was born. He is an American Baptist pastor and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Warnock Graduates from Morehouse College

In 1991, Raphael Warnock graduated cum laude from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr.

October 22, 1995: Abyssinian Baptist Church Hosts Fidel Castro

On October 22, 1995, while Raphael Warnock was youth pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church hosted Fidel Castro. There is no evidence Warnock was involved in that decision.

1997: Warnock Opposes Giuliani's Workfare Reforms

In 1997, as assistant pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church, Raphael Warnock opposed New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's workfare reforms, expressing concern that workfare was displacing other workers and putting poor people in competition with each other, which he considered a "hoax".

2014: Warnock Criticizes Georgia's Gun Laws

In 2014, Raphael Warnock criticized Georgia's gun laws during a sermon, expressing disagreement with the decision to allow guns and concealed weapons in churches due to his perception of church meetings.

February 14, 2016: Warnock Marries Oulèye Ndoye

On February 14, 2016, Raphael Warnock married Oulèye Ndoye in a public ceremony. The couple had previously held a private ceremony in January.

May 2018: Warnock Discusses Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

In May 2018, Raphael Warnock discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, criticizing Israel's actions including the shooting of nonviolent Palestinian protesters, comparing the Palestinian cause to the Black Lives Matter movement, and advocating for a two-state solution.

2018: Warnock Criticizes Trump's Comments and Proclamation

In 2018, Raphael Warnock criticized then President Trump's "shithole countries" comment and subsequent signing of a proclamation honoring Martin Luther King Jr., deeming the latter hypocritical without an apology and calling for repentance from Trump.

November 2019: Warnock and Ndoye Separate

In November 2019, Raphael Warnock and Oulèye Ndoye separated.

2019: Warnock Signs Statement Critical of Israel's Occupation

In 2019, after a visit to Israel and the West Bank, Raphael Warnock signed a statement with other clergy that was critical of Israel's military occupation and settlement expansion in the West Bank, comparing it to apartheid South Africa's occupation of Namibia.

March 2020: Ndoye Accuses Warnock of Running Over Her Foot

In March 2020, while Warnock and Ndoye were going through divorce proceedings, Ndoye accused Warnock of running over her foot with his car during a verbal argument; Warnock denied the accusation. Police did not charge Warnock with any crimes regarding the incident.

November 2020: Warnock Reverses Course on Positions Regarding Israel

In November 2020, during his Senate campaign, Raphael Warnock reversed course on some positions regarding Israel. He called the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement "anti-Semitic", and stated that he did not believe that Israel is an apartheid state.

December 2020: Warnock Declines to Answer Supreme Court Question

During a December 2020 debate, Raphael Warnock twice declined to answer whether he supported "packing the Supreme Court" by adding additional justices.

2020: Warnock Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign

In 2020, Raphael Warnock was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign due to his views on LGBTQ rights.

2020: Warnock's Divorce Finalized

In 2020, Raphael Warnock's divorce from Oulèye Ndoye was finalized.

January 20, 2021: Warnock Sworn into the U.S. Senate

On January 20, 2021, Raphael Warnock was sworn into the United States Senate in the 117th Congress by Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside Jon Ossoff and Alex Padilla. Tim Kaine escorted Warnock.

February 13, 2021: Warnock Votes to Convict Donald Trump

On February 13, 2021, Senator Raphael Warnock voted to convict former president Donald Trump of inciting the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

March 5, 2021: Warnock Co-Sponsors Amendment to Raise Minimum Wage

On March 5, 2021, Raphael Warnock and 29 other Democratic and independent senators co-sponsored an amendment to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

March 17, 2021: Warnock Delivers First Senate Speech

On March 17, 2021, Raphael Warnock delivered his first speech on the Senate floor, advocating for the passage of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

April 20, 2021: Warnock Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee on Voting Rights

On April 20, 2021, Raphael Warnock and Stacey Abrams testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and For the People Act. Warnock criticized new election laws in his home state, calling it a "full-fledged assault on voting rights, unlike anything we seen since the era of Jim Crow."

June 2021: Warnock and Ossoff Secure Funding to Reduce Veteran Homelessness

In June 2021, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff assisted six Georgia organizations working to reduce veteran homelessness by securing between $375,000 to $500,000 in federal funds for each, sourced from the Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, aimed at helping veterans find jobs.

September 2021: Warnock Introduces Legislation for Gold Star Families Remembrance Week

In September 2021, Raphael Warnock and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced legislation designating September 19 to 25 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week nationwide, honoring the sacrifices made by families of servicemen who died serving the United States. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously.

October 2021: Warnock Announces Federal Funding for Georgia Health Centers

In October 2021, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff announced they had secured federal funding under the American Rescue Plan for health centers across Georgia, including facilities in Macon and Albany. Warnock emphasized his support for the American Rescue Plan to aid the healthcare infrastructure and workers during the pandemic.

November 2021: Warnock's Bill Enacted for Study on Racial Disparities in VA Benefits

In November 2021, a bill of Raphael Warnock's was enacted, approving a government study into whether there were racial disparities in benefits provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

November 2021: Interstate 14 Prioritization Approved

In November 2021, prioritization for building Interstate 14, connecting several cities in Georgia to Texas, was approved within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, following efforts by Raphael Warnock and Senator Ted Cruz. Warnock highlighted the benefits for military installations and the regional economy.

February 2022: Ndoye Requests Modification of Child Custody Agreement

In February 2022, Oulèye Ndoye asked the court to modify her child custody agreement with Raphael Warnock, seeking "additional custody of their two young children so she can complete a Harvard University program", and a recalculation of child support payments.

March 2022: Warnock's Maternal Health Bill Incorporated into Spending Package

In March 2022, a bipartisan bill on maternal health by Raphael Warnock and Marco Rubio was incorporated into a $1.5 trillion federal spending package. Warnock's bill allocated funds for healthcare services, innovation grants, healthcare worker training, and a study on reducing discrimination in healthcare.

March 2022: Warnock Opposes Closure of Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center

In March 2022, after President Joe Biden suggested closing the Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Georgia, Raphael Warnock opposed the move, deeming it "bad for Savannah and bad for our national security".

June 2022: House Rejects Biden's Recommendation

In June 2022, the Appropriations subcommittee of the House of Representatives rejected President Biden's recommendation to close the Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Georgia, following opposition from Raphael Warnock and other Georgia lawmakers.

August 2022: Senate Passes Inflation Reduction Act with Warnock's Proposals

In August 2022, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, including two proposals by Raphael Warnock: a $2,000 annual limit on prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare, and a $35 monthly limit on insulin costs for people on Medicare. One of Warnock's proposals was removed by republican lawmakers.

October 2022: Savannah Renames Street in Warnock's Honor

In October 2022, the city government of Savannah honorarily renamed Cape Street, where Raphael Warnock grew up during the 1980s, as Raphael Warnock Way.

2022: Warnock Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign

In 2022, Raphael Warnock was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign due to his views on LGBTQ rights.

October 2023: Warnock Condemns Hamas's Violence Against Israel

In October 2023, Raphael Warnock publicly condemned Hamas's acts of violence against Israel at the start of Gaza war, calling the violence "heinous" and emphasizing the importance of seeking a "lasting peace grounded in justice and human dignity for all of God's creatures."

February 2024: Warnock Emphasizes American Leadership in Achieving Israeli-Palestinian Peace

In February 2024, Raphael Warnock delivered a Senate speech emphasizing American leadership in achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace. He called for a negotiated ceasefire in the Gaza war, the release of hostages, opening humanitarian corridors, and underscored the need for a two-state solution.

March 2024: Warnock Signs Letter Urging Recognition of Palestinian State

In March 2024, Raphael Warnock was among 19 Democratic senators who signed a letter to the Biden administration, urging the United States to recognize a "nonmilitarized" Palestinian state after the war in Gaza.

November 2024: Warnock Votes to Block Arms Sales to Israel

In November 2024, Raphael Warnock voted for all three Israel-related measures proposed by Bernie Sanders to block sales to Israel of JDAMS, tank rounds, and mortar rounds, which would have blocked approximately $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel.

April 2025: Warnock Votes Against Withholding Military Aid to Israel

In April 2025, Raphael Warnock voted against a pair of resolutions sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders to withhold billions of dollars in offensive weapons sales and other military aid to Israel.