Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on July 9 that former US Senator Jim Inhofe passed away at the age of 89. Inhofe was a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and one of the loudest voicesagainstclimatechange in the US Senate. Inhofe served on the US Senate for 29 years, from 1994 until his retirement in 2023.
McConnellsaidInhofewas loved and respected by many.
“The people he served, a group much larger than the proud residents of the Sooner State, were better for it,” Mc-Connell said in a statement. “Jim’s diligent stewardship of massive infrastructure projects transformed life across the Heartland. His relentless advocacy for American energy dominance unlocked new prosperity across the country. And his laser focus on growing and modernizing theUSmilitarystrengthened the security of the entire free world.”
Inhofe famously brought a snowball onto the Senate floor to argue against the existence of climate change, to the exasperation of many environmentalists.
Inhofe said his 55-year political career - from the state legislature to the mayor of Tulsa to the US House and Senate - was spurred after he realized he had to visit 27 government offices just to obtain a dock permit.
“If we wanted the government to work for the people, not against the people, it was up to us to make a change,” Inhofe said at the time.
Many politicians have taken to social media to pay their respects. Congressman Tom Cole sent out a press release about the loss of Inhofe.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and former colleague, Senator Jim Inhofe,” Cole said. “Jim was a true patriot, as he spent decades serving our great nation and state of Oklahoma in the United States Army, Oklahoma state legislature, United States House of Representatives, United States Senate, and as the Mayor of Tulsa. Throughout his time as a public servant, he fought passionately for our military, infrastructure, and strong conservative values.”
“Senator Inhofe’s passing is a devastating loss,” Cole continued. “For fifty years, he served as my friend, my leader, and my mentor. I will miss him dearly, as will all of Oklahoma and every man and woman who wears the uniform of the United States. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kay, their children, grandchildren, friends, colleagues, and all Oklahomans who admired Senator Inhofe. May he rest in peace.”
US Senator Markwayne Mullin also sent out a statement.
“It's fitting that Senator Jim Inhofe's middle name was Mountain -- because that's exactly what he was, not just for our state, but for the nation,” said Mullin. “Senator Inhofe's tenacity and enduring love for Oklahoma made him a titan in the Senate. He was a tireless advocate, and a wonderful friend, father, husband, and grandfather. While I will never be able to fill his shoes, Jim's spirit, passion, and love of country will continue to inspire me each and every day. Our prayers are with Kay, his former staff, and the entire Inhofe family.”