Former U.S. Senator

James M. InhofeNo longer serving

State OK Party Republican In office 1987–2023

Fact sheet Spreadsheet

Bills introduced

427

As sponsor, from the 107th Congress

Became law

Of the bills they introduced

Cosponsored

2,498

Signed on to someone else's bill

Recorded votes

4,197

Roll calls tied to a bill

Floor speeches

1,829

In the Congressional Record, from 2001

427 bills introduced

Across 11 Congresses, most in the 109th at 70. In the 117th, 32 — 25 fewer than the median senator, who filed 57. Volume is not influence: the great majority of bills, from every member, never get a vote.

Bills introduced, against the typical senator 107th to 117th

median for the chamber, that Congress

Biography

A Senator and a Representative from Oklahoma. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, November 17, 1934. Attended public schools in Tulsa, Okla. B. A. , University of Tulsa 1973. Served in the U. S. Army 1957-1958. President, Quaker Life Insurance Company. Member, Oklahoma State house of representatives 1967-1969. State senate 1969-1977. Unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Oklahoma 1974, and for the U. S. House of Representatives 1976. Mayor of Tulsa 1978-1984. Elected as a Republican to the One Hundredth and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1987, to November 15, 1994, when he resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate in the November 8, 1994, special election to the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of David L. Boren. Took the oath of office on November 17, 1994. Elected for a full term in 1996. Reelected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and again in 2020, and served from November 16, 1994, until his resignation on January 3, 2023. Chair, Committee on Environment and Public Works (One Hundred Eighth, One Hundred Ninth, and One Hundred Fourteenth Congresses), Committee on Armed Services (One Hundred Fifteenth and One Hundred Sixteenth Congresses). Was a resident of Tulsa, Okla. , until his death on July 9, 2024.

Focus

Drawn from the 427 bills this member introduced: the subjects the record assigns them, and the members who most often sign on.

Subjects

Bills carry several subjects each, so these add up to more than 427.

Most frequent cosponsors

Tom Coburn R-OK 69
David Vitter R-LA 54
John Boozman R-AR 47
Mike Crapo R-ID 44
John Cornyn R-TX 43
John Thune R-SD 43

Times each has cosponsored a bill this member introduced.

Record

Every recorded vote, bill and floor speech, newest first.

Search these bills

Congress

Recorded votes tied to a bill, including procedural motions on it such as cloture. Votes on nominations are not listed.

Bill	Question	Voted	Date
HR 2617	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to Senate Amendment No. 4 with an Amendment No. 6552)	Yea	Dec 22, 2022
S 5355	On Passage of the Bill S. 5355	Nay	Dec 22, 2022
HR 2617	On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 2617	Not Voting	Dec 20, 2022
HR 1437	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437)	Yea	Dec 15, 2022
HR 1437	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437, with Lee amendment No. 6451, as modified)	Nay	Dec 15, 2022
HR 1437	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437 with the Scott (FL) Amendment No. 6540)	Yea	Dec 15, 2022
HR 7776	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7776)	Yea	Dec 15, 2022
HR 7776	On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7776 with the Johnson Amendment No. 6526)	Yea	Dec 15, 2022

Bill	Title	Status	Latest action
S 1479	BUILD Act	Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	Jul 1, 2016
S 2795	Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act	Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 528.	Jun 23, 2016
S 2808	John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2016	Held at the desk.	Jun 20, 2016
S 2973	A bill to increase the micro-purchase threshold for universities, independent research institutes, and non-profit research organizations.	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.	May 23, 2016
SRES 471	A resolution designating the week of May 15 through May 21, 2016, as "National Public Works Week".	Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2998; text as passed Senate: CR S2978)	May 18, 2016
S 2824	Ariel Rios Federal Building Designation Act	Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 444.	Apr 28, 2016
S 2788	A bill to prohibit closure of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to prohibit the transfer or release of detainees at that Naval Station to the United States, and for other purposes.	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.	Apr 13, 2016
S 2771	A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the qualifications for licensed mental health counselors of the Department of Veterans Affairs.	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.	Apr 11, 2016

Bill	Title	Status	Signed on
SJRES 70	A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment".	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.	Dec 21, 2022
S 5269	Focus on the Mission Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.	Dec 15, 2022
S 4709	Expanding Local Meat Processing Act of 2022	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.	Dec 6, 2022
SRES 858	A resolution expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.	Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6968-6969; text: CR S6968)	Dec 5, 2022
S 4260	Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.	Dec 1, 2022
S 1112	Chisholm National Historic Trail and Western National Historic Trail Designation Act	Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-450.	Nov 28, 2022
SRES 845	A resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.	Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6768; text: CR S6784-6785)	Nov 17, 2022
SCONRES 49	A concurrent resolution expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and urging that the United States be added as a signatory.	Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S6786-6787)	Nov 17, 2022

Sections of the Congressional Record in which this member spoke or entered a written statement, as the Government Publishing Office tags them; floor business such as amendment texts is left out. Each links to the official Record.

Date	Record section	Where
Dec 15, 2022	James M. Inhofe Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023--Resumed	Senate floor
Nov 16, 2022	Remarks during the legislative session	Senate floor
Nov 15, 2022	Tribute to Cheryl M. Black	Senate floor
Oct 11, 2022	National Defense Authorization Act	Senate floor
Sep 20, 2022	Amendment to Montreal Protocol ("Kigali Amendment")	Senate floor
Jul 26, 2022	Remembering Tom Poberezny	Senate floor
May 26, 2022	Tribute to Scott Robinson	Senate floor
May 26, 2022	Tribute to Admiral Chase David Patrick	Senate floor

Committees

Current committees first, each with its role and years, and the subcommittees held now beneath it. Full history opens every role with its date and official record, and earlier subcommittee seats.

Earlier committees

Armed Services CommitteeRanking Member2001–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Armed Services Committee	Ranking Member	Feb 3, 2021 to Jan 3, 2023	S.Res. 32 · End of the 117th Congress
	Member	Jan 9, 2019 to Jan 3, 2021	S.Res. 12 · End of the 116th Congress
	Chair	Sep 6, 2018 to Jan 3, 2019	S.Res. 623 · End of the 115th Congress
	Member	Jan 7, 2015 to Sep 6, 2018	S.Res. 21 · S.Res. 623
	Ranking Member	Jan 24, 2013 to Jan 3, 2015	S.Res. 18 · End of the 113th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2013	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 112th Congress
Airland	Member	Listed Dec 2015 to Jul 2018	Congressional Directory, Feb 2016
Readiness and Management Support	Chair	Listed Mar 2015 to Jul 2018	Hearing, Mar 2015
Strategic Forces	Member	Listed Feb 2015 to Jul 2018	Hearing, Feb 2015
Readiness and Management Support	Member	Listed Mar 2012 to Apr 2012	Hearing, Mar 2012
Strategic Forces	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Apr 2012	Hearing, Mar 2001
Airland	Member	Listed Jul 2001 to Mar 2012	Hearing, Jul 2001
Readiness and Management Support	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Oct 2011	Hearing, Mar 2001

Environment and Public Works CommitteeMember2001–2023

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Environment and Public Works Committee	Member	Jan 5, 2017 to Jan 3, 2023	S.Res. 7 · End of the 117th Congress
	Chair	Jan 8, 2015 to Jan 3, 2017	S.Res. 23 · End of the 114th Congress
	Member	Jan 24, 2013 to Jan 8, 2015	S.Res. 18 · S.Res. 23
	Ranking Member	Jan 12, 2007 to Jan 3, 2013	S.Res. 28 · End of the 112th Congress
	Chair	Jan 15, 2003 to Jan 3, 2007	S.Res. 18 · End of the 109th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2003	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 107th Congress
Transportation and Infrastructure	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Mar 2011
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety	Ranking Member	Listed Apr 2016 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Apr 2016
Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife	Member	Listed Mar 2021 to Oct 2022	Hearing, Mar 2021
Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight	Member	Listed Aug 2019 to Jul 2020	Hearing, Aug 2019
Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife	Member	Listed Feb 2016 to Jul 2018	Hearing, Feb 2016
Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight	Ex Officio	Listed Mar 2016 to Aug 2016	Hearing, Mar 2016
Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight	Ex Officio	Listed Oct 2011 to Oct 2015	Hearing, Oct 2011
Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife	Ex Officio	Listed Dec 2011 to Sep 2015	Hearing, Dec 2011
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety	Ex Officio	Listed May 2015 to Jun 2015	Hearing, May 2015
Oversight	Member	Listed Mar 2012 to Jun 2014	Hearing, Mar 2012
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety	Ex Officio	Listed Dec 2011 to Sep 2012	Hearing, Dec 2011
Children's Health and Environmental Responsibility	Ex Officio	Listed May 2012 to May 2012	Hearing, May 2012
Green Jobs and the New Economy	Ex Officio	Listed Oct 2011 to Mar 2012	Hearing, Oct 2011
Children's Health and Environmental Responsibility	Ex Officio	Listed Jun 2011 to Oct 2011	Hearing, Jun 2011
Water and Wildlife	Member	Listed Apr 2011 to Oct 2011	Hearing, Apr 2011
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Aug 2011	Hearing, Mar 2011
Oversight	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Mar 2011	Hearing, Mar 2011
Green Jobs and the New Economy	Member	Listed Feb 2011 to Mar 2011	Hearing, Feb 2011
Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health	Member	Listed Feb 2011 to Feb 2011	Hearing, Feb 2011
Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality	Member	Listed Jun 2007 to Sep 2008	Hearing, Jun 2007
Transportation and Infrastructure	Ex Officio	Listed Apr 2008 to Sep 2008	Hearing, Apr 2008
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety	Ex Officio	Listed Apr 2007 to Jul 2008	Hearing, Apr 2007
Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children's Health Protection	Member	Listed May 2008 to May 2008	Hearing, May 2008
Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection	Ex Officio	Listed Feb 2007 to Oct 2007	Hearing, Feb 2007
Superfund and Environmental Health	Member	Listed Jun 2007 to Oct 2007	Hearing, Jun 2007
Transportation and Infrastructure	Ex Officio	Listed Mar 2007 to Mar 2007	Hearing, Mar 2007
Superfund, Toxics, Risk, and Waste Management	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jul 2002	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Clean Air, Wetlands, and Climate Change	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Jun 2002	Hearing, Mar 2001
Transportation, Infrastructure, and Nuclear Safety	Chair	Listed Mar 2001 to Mar 2002	Hearing, Mar 2001
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water	Member	Listed Nov 2001 to Nov 2001	Hearing, Nov 2001

Small Business and Entrepreneurship CommitteeMember2017–2023

Intelligence (Select) CommitteeMember2001–2021

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Intelligence (Select) Committee	Member	By Jul 2, 2020 to Jan 3, 2021	Congressional Directory, Jul 2020 · End of the 116th Congress
	Member	By Feb 13, 2014 to Jan 3, 2015	Congressional Directory, Feb 2014 · End of the 113th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2003	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 107th Congress

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeMember2017–2019

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee	Member	Jan 5, 2017 to Jan 3, 2019	S.Res. 7 · End of the 115th Congress
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard	Member	Listed Mar 2017 to Dec 2018	Hearing, Mar 2017
Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security	Member	Listed Mar 2017 to Nov 2018	Hearing, Mar 2017
Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet	Member	Listed Mar 2017 to Jul 2018	Hearing, Mar 2017
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security	Member	Listed Feb 2017 to Jul 2018	Hearing, Feb 2017
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security	Member	Listed Feb 2017 to Apr 2018	Hearing, Feb 2017

Foreign Relations CommitteeMember2009–2013

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Foreign Relations Committee	Member	Jul 21, 2009 to Jan 3, 2013	S.Res. 218 · End of the 112th Congress
African Affairs	Member	Listed Oct 2009 to Dec 2012	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009
International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection	Member	Listed Jun 2011 to Nov 2012	Hearing, Jun 2011
East Asian and Pacific Affairs	Member	Listed Oct 2009 to Sep 2012	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009
International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues	Member	Listed Nov 2011 to Nov 2011	Hearing, Nov 2011
Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs	Member	Listed Oct 2009 to Oct 2009	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009

Indian Affairs CommitteeMember2001–2005

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Party, state and chamber are those of this member's most recent term. Bills and cosponsorships are held from the 107th Congress onwards and recorded votes from the 101st, so a member who served before those points will show fewer than they filed, or none. Committee service is held from the 107th Congress onwards, dated from the House and Senate resolutions and Congressional Record notices that seat and remove members. Subcommittee assignments are made inside each committee and carry no official date, so a subcommittee seat is shown from the first to the last printed hearing, Congressional Directory edition or official roster that lists the member. Vote counts cover roll calls tied to a bill; the chambers also vote on procedure and nominations, which are not listed here. Office, telephone and website are not shown for a member who has left, because the ones on file were theirs while serving. Records come from Congress.gov and the Biographical Directory of Congress.