Inhofe elected ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was unanimously elected by Republican Senate Armed Services Committee members to be the panel’s new Ranking Member.

Inhofe will take over the position previously held by U.S. Sen. John McCain, who was term limited in the role.

“I appreciate the support of my colleagues, and I look forward to working closely with Chairman Levin and continuing the close bipartisanship that has existed between Levin and McCain on dealing with important military issues, including our forces currently fighting in Afghanistan,” said Inhofe.

“My top priority is to avoid the devastating cuts to our nation’s forces that are scheduled under defense sequestration. There are ways to save taxpayer dollars within the Department of Defense, but sequestration is the wrong approach. It will have a terrible impact on our national security for decades to come if it is allowed to go forward. We have pushed these cuts off for two months, but now we must find a permanent fix.

“As the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, there are many issues that must be addressed on a wide range of subjects dealing with our men and women in uniform. My five top priorities are missile defense and nuclear modernization, acquisition reform, military readiness and capabilities, review defense strategy and threat assessments, and improve efficiencies within the Defense Department.”