A GOP Win in the Senate Could Return Inhofe to Control of Environmental Committee



Election day could put Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe back in power of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee—–if, and that’s not all of a big if, the Republicans win control of the U.S. Senate.

From 2003 to 2013, Senator Inhofe was the Chairman or the Ranking Republican on the Committee. During that time, according to his own website, he focused on building the nation’s critical infrastructure and fighting federal government over-regulation. And that was obviously to the dismay of environmentalists and Democrats. Should the GOP win control of the Senate, Inhofe would likely return to power and again, to the dislike of his opponents.

During his earlier chairmanship, Inhofe led the way in enacting the 2005 and 2012 federal surface transportation reauthorizaton which ensured Oklahoma drivers were not paying more in gasoline taxes than they received in highway improvement funding each year.

He also was prominent in creating the enactment of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act which enhanced Oklahoma’s waterway commerce and drinking water infrastructure. Of course, Inhofe is also known for fighting the global warming claims of environmentalists and Democrats. In 2012, he came out with his book, “The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future.”