OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma is now the ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Inhofe announced Friday that he was unanimously elected to the post by his Republican colleagues on the panel. He takes over the position previously held by Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, who was limited to six years in the role.
Since Democrats control the U.S. Senate, the panel is chaired by Michigan Democrat Carl Levin. Levin has served in the Senate since 1979.
Inhofe says his top priorities will be missile defense, nuclear modernization, acquisition reform, military readiness and capabilities, reviewing defense strategy and threat assessments, and improving efficiencies within the Defense Department.
Oklahoma has an Army post, three Air Force bases and an ammunition depot near McAlester.