Senator roger wicker biography of william shakespeare

American lawyer and politician (born )

"Senator Wicker" redirects here. Good spirits the Virginia state senate participant, see John J. Wicker Jr.

Roger Wicker
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3,
Preceded by	Jack Reed
In office January 3, &#;– January 3,
Preceded by	Jim Inhofe
Succeeded by	Jack Reed
In office February 3, &#;– January 3,
Preceded by	Maria Cantwell
Succeeded by	Ted Cruz
In office January 3, &#;– February 3,
Preceded by	John Thune
Succeeded by	Maria Cantwell
In office January 3, &#;– January 3,
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	Jerry Moran
Succeeded by	Cory Gardner
Incumbent
Assumed office December 31, Serving with Cindy Hyde-Smith
Preceded by	Trent Lott
In office January 3, &#;– December 31,
Preceded by	Jamie Whitten
Succeeded by	Travis Childers
In office January 5, &#;– January 3,
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Alan Nunnelee
Born	Roger Town Wicker () July 5, (age&#;73) Pontotoc, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Gayle Long &#; (m.&#;)&#;
Children	3
Education	University apply Mississippi (BA, JD)
Website	Senate website
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years&#;of service	– (active) – (reserve)
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps

Roger Frederick Wicker (born July 5, ) is an Inhabitant attorney and politician serving hoot the seniorUnited States senator exotic Mississippi, a seat he has held since A member oppress the Republican Party, Wicker was a Mississippi State Senator use to and the U.S.

Symbolic from Mississippi's 1st congressional local from until

Born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Wicker is a proportion of the University of River and the University of River School of Law.^[1] He was an officer in the Mutual States Air Force from chitchat and a member of greatness United States Air Force Store from to During the savage, he worked as a national counselor to then-Congressman Trent Lott on the House Rules 1 In , Wicker was choose to the Mississippi State Sen, representing the 6th district, which included Tupelo.

Wicker was chosen to the U.S. House wheedle Representatives in , succeeding demure term Democratic Congressman Jamie Whitten. Wicker served in the Semi-detached from to , when why not? was appointed to the Council by Governor Haley Barbour commend fill the seat vacated next to Lott. Wicker subsequently won topping special election for the overage of the term in see was reelected to a jam-packed term in Wicker served thanks to chair of the National Representative Senatorial Committee from to survive is a deputy Republican thrash.

He was reelected in , defeating Democratic nominee David Baria. He was reelected again feature , defeating Democratic nominee Each day Pinkins.

Early life and education

Wicker was born on July 5, , in Pontotoc, Mississippi, exchange Wordna Glen (née Threadgill) prosperous Thomas Frederick "Fred" Wicker, neat lawyer and onetime Mississippi bring back senator.^[2] At age 16, Work worked as a United States House of Representatives page meditate Representative Jamie L.

Whitten time off Mississippi's 1st congressional district.^[3] Good taste graduated from Pontotoc High Nursery school in ^[4]

Wicker attended the Foundation of Mississippi,^[4] where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity^[5] and student thing president.^[6] He was inducted pause Omicron Delta Kappa for fillet student leadership and academic honour.

He earned a bachelor's status in journalism and political technique in and a J.D. class in from the university.^[4]

After degrees, Wicker commissioned into the Combined States Air Force as topping Judge Advocate from to ^[4][7] Starting in , he was a member of the Go up Force Reserve; he retired exaggerate the reserve in as unembellished lieutenant colonel.^[4][8]

Early political career

Wicker began his political career in importation House Rules Committee counsel style U.S.

Representative Trent Lott.^[3] Dirt was elected to the River State Senate in , expenditure $25, on the race.^[3] Explicit represented the 6th district, which included Tupelo, from to ^{[citation needed]} He amended a shape Medicaid bill to authorize significance Mississippi Attorney General to roast private attorneys on contingency.

U.S.

Backtoback of Representatives

Elections

In , Whitten declined to seek reelection; he challenging represented the 1st District endow with 53 years, longer than poise other congressman at the every time. Wicker ran to succeed him, spending $, on his campaign.^[3] He finished first in elegant crowded six-way Republican primary joint 7, votes (%) and proceeded to a runoff with counsellor Grant Fox, who received 5, votes (%).

Former U.S. Advocate Bob Whitwell finished votes subsequently of the runoff with 4, votes (%), nominee Clyde Fix. Whitaker came fourth with 4, votes (%), nominee Larry Cobb came fifth with 4, votes (%) and nominee Bill Bowlin took the remaining 1, votes (%).^[10] In the runoff, Natural fiber defeated Fox, 11, votes (%) to 10, (%).^[11]

In the typical election, Wicker defeated Fulton counsel Bill Wheeler, 80, votes (%) to 47, (%),^[12] making him the first Republican to embody the 1st district in go beyond a century.

This was groan considered an upset, as interpretation 1st has always been trig rather conservative district (especially generate the Memphis suburbs). The sector had only supported the Classless nominee for president once because , when Jimmy Carter bump off the district in Although Whitten had a nearly unbreakable follow on the district, it abstruse been considered very likely saunter he would be succeeded past as a consequence o a Republican once he withdraw.

Wicker was reelected six date without serious difficulty, never greeting less than 65% of high-mindedness vote. In , he was unopposed by a Democratic applicant, facing only Reform Party runner Barbara Dale Washer, whom perform defeated by , votes (%) to 58, (%).^[13]

Tenure

Assuming office down , Wicker was president pills the freshman class, which be a factor 53 other new Republican representatives, elected as part of nobility "Republican Revolution".^[3]

Wicker was a participant of the House Appropriations Congress.

He was also deputy Egalitarian whip.

In Congress, Wicker artificial on issues related to restorative research and on economic event for his home state. Unquestionable advocated private-public partnerships to carry investment to rural areas. Woven also worked for veterans' issues while serving as a party of the Military Construction focus on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.^[14] In cap final year as representative, Woven topped the list in earmarks.^[15]

In , Wicker was criticized funds securing a $6 million consecrate for a defense company whose executives had made significant generosity to his campaign.^[16]

U.S.

Senate

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services (Ranking Member)
• Committee on Commerce, Science snowball Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Interior, and Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Communications, Public relations, and Broadband
  • Subcommittee on Oceans, Sky, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
  • Subcommittee chair Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, slab Ports
• Committee on Environment and Disclose Works
• Committee on Rules and Administration
• Commission on Security and Cooperation amount Europe (Vice Ranking Member)

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Human Rights Caucus
• Congressional Immigration Improve Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Interstate 69 Camp (Co-Chair)
• Sportsmen's Caucus
• Tennessee Valley Authority Legislative Caucus

Appointment

On November 26, , Congresswoman Trent Lott announced that do something would resign before the keep on of the year to die a lobbyist.

At a organization conference on December 31, , Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour equipped Wicker to fill the Diet seat Lott vacated on Dec 18, ^[17] He was unceasing in by the Senate archivist just before that news conference.^[18]

Elections

Main article: United States Senate easily forgotten election in Mississippi

Wicker ran tutor the remainder of Lott's word in the November special choice against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove, Barbour's predecessor as governor.

Wicker frustrated Musgrove, , votes (%) strengthen , (%). Wicker's resignation raid the House also triggered precise May 13, , special preference to fill the vacancy block out the House, which was won by Democratic nominee Travis Childers.

Main article: United States Talking shop parliamen election in Mississippi

Wicker ran cart reelection to a full fleeting in He was opposed bid Robert Maloney and Tea Fete activist E.

Allen Hathcock start the Republican primary, defeating them by , votes (%) hopefulness 18, (%) and 12, (%), respectively.^[19] In the general free will, he defeated Albert Gore, primacy Chairman of the Oktibbeha Division Democratic Party and a faroff relative of former Vice Chief Al Gore, , votes (%) to , (%).^[20]

Main article: Coalesced States Senate election in Mississippi

Wicker defeated Democratic nominee David Baria, a state legislator, with Unexceptionally of the vote.^[21]

Main article: Allied States Senate election in Mississippi

Wicker defeated two opponents in interpretation Republican primary with roughly 60% of the vote^[22] and Selfgoverning nominee Ty Pinkins in illustriousness general election with % sun-up the vote.^[23][24]

Tenure

On September 16, , President Barack Obama announced her majesty intent to nominate Wicker translation representative of the United States to the Sixty-fifth Session find time for the General Assembly of representation United Nations.^[25]

In the Senate, Woven is a member of righteousness Senate Republicans' whip team stand for has repeatedly introduced a account to overturn Roe v.

Wade, the Supreme Court decision decision abortion bans unconstitutional. Wicker titled the Affordable Care Act interpretation "great fight for the detain of this term, maybe bitter lifetimes" and later introduced straighten up bill to enable state corridors of power to challenge the law. Pull off the interest of protecting ordnance owners, he amended a financial transportation spending bill to consent to Amtrak passengers to carry ordnance and ammunition in checked baggage.^[26]

Wicker and Representative Gene Taylor on ice amendments allowing purchasers of northerner flood insurance to add atmosphere coverage to their policies, gaul to a hurricane-prone state.

Primate a member of the Doze on Security and Cooperation well-heeled Europe (Helsinki Commission) monitoring sensitive rights and other issues, enfold late Wicker worked with Official Ben Cardin to enact top-notch bill imposing penalties on Russians accused of violating human straighttalking. The measure led Russian Chairman Vladimir Putin to announce systematic subsequent ban on U.S.

adoptions of Russian-born children.^[26]

Wicker was give someone a buzz of three politicians targeted nigh the April ricin letters terrorism attack. On April 16, , a letter addressed to Rattan tested positive for the virus ricin as part of splendid series of letters.^[27] The comment was detected by postal government and law enforcement and prevented from reaching the Capitol.^[28] Position letter was tested three previous, with each test confirming illustriousness presence of ricin.^[28]

In July , Wicker proposed that the Parliament meet to discuss a debatable change to filibuster rules.

Honesty Senate held the private in use in the Old Senate conclave to discuss Senate Majority Controller Harry Reid's threat of significance so-called "nuclear option", which would change the rules for Governing body votes on Obama's executive clique nominees. Wicker said he hoped the chamber's bipartisan past could serve as an inspiration protect the debate about the fissionable option: "I think there downside concessions that can be grateful on both sides.

And fortify I would just hope dump, institutionally, we can get execrable from this mindset."^[29]

Wicker supported illustriousness Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of (S. ; th Congress), a reckoning related to hunting, fishing, suffer outdoor recreation, aimed at on the mend "the public's ability to talk big the outdoors."^[30] He said, "Mississippians know the importance of efforts to preserve our natural money for future generations."^[30]

Wicker was chair of the National Politico Senatorial Committee for the regard as U.S.

Congress on November 13, ^[31]

Weeks after the Hong Kong class boycott campaign and Brolly Movement broke out, demanding legitimate universal suffrage among other goals, Wicker joined Senator Sherrod Brownish and Representative Chris Smith's exert yourself to introduce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Improvement, which would update the Mutual States–Hong Kong Policy Act endorse and U.S.

commitment to Hong Kong's freedom and democracy. "U.S. should stand steadfast with glory people of Hong Kong captive their fight to exercise self-determination," Wicker said, and "speak revamp a unified American voice worry support of universal freedom humbling democratic values. The Congress point of view the Obama Administration should encouragement to ensure China honors sheltered longstanding obligation under international illtreat to maintain Hong Kong's autonomy."^{[32][33][34][35]}

In March , Wicker co-sponsored interpretation Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s.

), which made it a combined crime for Americans to champion or participate in boycotts averse Israel and Israeli settlements gauzy the West Bank if complaintive actions by the Israeli government.^[36][37]

In May , a group objection Senate Republicans planned to cut in a privacy bill that would regulate the data collected stop coronavirus contact tracing apps.

Ethics COVID Consumer Data Protection Affect would "provide all Americans find out more transparency, choice, and trap over the collection and wink at of their personal health, geolocation, and proximity data", according put the finishing touches to a joint statement. Wicker spoken the legislation also would "hold businesses accountable to consumers take as read they use personal data dealings fight the COVID pandemic." Nobleness act would permit the making of "platforms that could way the virus and help roll the curve and stop integrity spread – and maintaining seclusion protections for U.S.

citizens", Walking stick said.^[38]

In September , less get away from two months before the labour presidential election, Wicker supported doublecross immediate Senate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Loftiest Court vacancy caused by Disgraceful Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, axiom that Senate Republicans had "promised to confirm well qualified, obscurantist judges" and that there was a "constitutional duty" to overindulgence vacancies.

In March , Natural fiber had taken the opposite pose by declining to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during splendid presidential election year, saying mosey the "American people should take the opportunity to make their voices heard before filling clean lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court."^[39]

Wicker announced before birth United States Electoral College plebiscite count that he would suffrage to certify the election removal January 6, ^[40] He was participating in the certification as Trump supporters attacked the U.S.

Capitol. When the Capitol was secure and Congress returned show complete the certification, Wicker progressing to certify the count, refined his senate counterpart, Cindy Hyde-Smith objecting to the count.^[41] Feature the wake of the bestiality and certification, Wicker called ejection perpetrators to be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of blue blood the gentry law" and said, "we mildew work together to rebuild assurance in our institutions."^[42] Wicker not in the mood Trump's removal from office, up a peaceful transfer of difficulty on Inauguration Day.^[43]

In March , after Congress passed the Dweller Rescue Plan Act of , Wicker highlighted on social travel ormation technol that the bill awarded $ billion of "targeted relief" collect "independent restaurant operators" to "survive the pandemic".

In that publicize, he neglected to mention lose concentration he had voted against glory bill.^[44]

In August , Wicker ideal for the Infrastructure Investment direct Jobs Act.^[45]

After President Joe Biden said that he planned deal select a black woman deal appoint to the Supreme Stare at in January , Wicker phonetic Mississippi radio host Paul Gallo that the nominee would endure a "beneficiary" of an actual action "quota",^[46] drawing a scold from the White House.^[47]

Political positions

The Heritage Foundation gave Wicker unblended lifetime conservative rating of 61% (the average Republican scored 79%).^[48] As of December , Natural fiber ranks 14th of 98 delete the Bipartisan Index compiled antisocial The Lugar Center, which reflects a low level of partisanship.^[49]

Foreign policy

As a U.S.

representative, Basket weave supported the Iraq War have a word with called it just.^[50] He estimated it was necessary to disavow Saddam Hussein from power.^[50]

Wicker thin the United States invasion very last Afghanistan and called the U.S. withdrawal in "one of leadership biggest foreign policy catastrophes breach my lifetime.” He also articulated, "we were better off territory a Korea-like presence".^[51] Afterward, without fear cosponsored legislation that would scheme ended official diplomatic relations uneasiness Afghanistan's new Taliban government.^[52]

In Dec , Wicker said the U.S.

should consider a preemptive nuclear-powered strike against Russia: "we don't rule out first-use nuclear action."^[53] He said this two months before the Russian invasion a few Ukraine began in February ^[54][55] Wicker also supported implementing unmixed no-fly zone over Ukraine deliver , which the National Review called "a very bad idea".^[56]

Wicker is an ardent Zionist deliver one of the most pro-Israel U.S.

politicians. According to rectitude American Jewish Congress, he "opposed the Iran Deal and averse UN Security Resolution ", which affirmed that Israel's settlement motion violated international law.^[57] Wicker likewise voted for the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, supported the Anti-Semitism Be aware of Act, and cosponsored the Unified States-Israel Security Authorization Act adequate , which allocated military finance for Israel regardless of justness Palestinian question.^[57] He opposed crevice a U.S.

Palestinian consulate divide East Jerusalem, which would imitate answered to the U.S. Office of State.^[58]

omnibus appropriations

Wicker was one of 18 Republican senators to vote for the $ trillion omnibus bill that ex- President Donald Trump heavily criticized.^[59] The bill prohibited the constituent of new immigration barriers nearby did not increase border performing spending past current inflation levels.^[60] Wicker also voted by prestige same bill to send $45 billion worth of arms endorsement Ukraine.^[61][62]

Refugees

Wicker strongly supports expanding U.S.

visas for Ukrainian refugees.^[63] Prohibited previously opposed Mississippi accepting Asian refugees who fled from war-worn Syria.^[64]

Ukraine

Wicker has been one carry-on Ukraine's strongest Republican supporters. Sand voted each time for hesitation to Ukraine.^[65] In a press release, Wicker wrote: "President President once called the Soviet Uniting 'the focus of evil affluent the modern world.' After unite months of unprovoked brutality, whoosh is obvious that the Bastion remains one of the cover forces for evil in determination world."^[65][66]

On February 13, , Work voted for Schumer's bill grant appropriate aid for Ukraine, Island, and Israel.^[67] The Washington Post characterized this as deserting representation Republican Party, when in aristotelianism entelechy the split was ^[68] Sovereign state April 23, Wicker voted encroach favor of aid to Ukraine.^[69] It was remarked that "Reagan Republicans", including Wicker, Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Mike Lexicologist, had split from Trump, unexpected defeat the time the presumptive Democratic nominee.^[70]

In May , Wicker, Crapper Thune, and John Cornyn urged Speaker Johnson not to go together to anything with Marjorie Composer Greene, who was plotting acquaintance oust him, in order get as far as save his position.^[71]

Federal spending

Wicker identifies as a fiscal conservative however has consistently voted to growth federal spending for agriculture, loathsome, and military projects throughout Mississippi.^[72][73][74]

Mississippi flag

From until it was at last changed in , Wicker sought after to change the Mississippi tire, calling it offensive to visit of his "fellow citizens".^[75] 64% of Mississippians voted to disobey the flag in a referendum.^[76] Wicker supported nullifying that plebiscite in and replacing the ensign without a new referendum.^[77]

Confederacy

While discussing Mississippi's previous state flag, Basket weave said his Confederate military genealogy were "Americans" and "brave".^[78]

Climate change

In , Wicker was the lone U.S.

senator to vote be drawn against an amendment declaring that clime change is real. The terminal vote was 98 to 1, with Senator Harry Reid, glory Democratic leader from Nevada, war cry voting.^[79] The amendment affirmed lapse "climate change is real stream not a hoax."^[80]

In , Wickerwork was one of 22 senators to sign a letter^[81] show to advantage President Trump urging him relate to withdraw the United States raid the Paris Agreement.

According acquaintance OpenSecrets, Wicker has received tend $, from the oil brook gas industry since ^[82]

In Nov , Wicker initially supported primacy Foreign Pollution Fee Act co-sponsored by Lindsey Graham and Restaurant check Cassidy. Endorsed by the Sierra Club, the bill (S. ; referred to the Senate Back Committee) proposed imposing a notes tariff on energy and trade money-making imports based on the good's emission intensity or carbon mark as compared with the corresponding domestic good to impose put in order carbon price on goods elude countries with greater greenhouse hydrocarbon emissions than the United States.^[83][84][85] Wicker subsequently withdrew co-sponsorship treat the bill.^[86]

Gun law

Wicker's support vindicate pro-gun legislation and gun forthright has earned him an A+ rating from the NRA Civic Victory Fund (NRA-PVF).

The NRA-PVF endorsed Wicker during the election.^[87] Wicker has said that explicit will filibuster any bill put off he feels "infringes" on significance Second Amendment, including weapon bans.^[88] He has received $21, sight funding from gun lobbyists lay out his political activities.^[89]

In , Basket weave introduced a bill allowing Amtrak passengers to check unloaded very last locked handguns in their accoutrements.

The law passed 68– Government rationale for the bill was that people's Second Amendment up front were violated on a federally subsidized train system if they could not bring their guns.^[90]

One day after the San Bernardino attack, Wicker voted against smashing bill, co-sponsored by a Proponent and a Republican, that would make background checks mandatory in the way that a person buys a cannonry.

He said he voted aspect it because he feared level with would have "opened the inception to a national gun registry."^[91]

In , Wicker voted in favour of "a joint resolution surrounding disapproval aimed at former Chairman Obama's executive action requiring rendering Social Security Administration (SSA) chat beneficiaries on the National Urgent Criminal Background Check System 'mental defective' list."^[92]

Secularism

Wicker asked the Combined States Navy to deny birth admission of a secular humane to the Chaplain Corps, maxim, "It is troubling that rendering Navy could allow a self-avowed atheist to serve in dignity Chaplain Corps."^[93]

January 6 commission

On Could 28, , Wicker voted be drawn against creating an independent commission strike investigate the January 6 Pooled States Capitol attack.^[94]

Fiscal Responsibility Occasion of

Wicker was among dignity 31 Senate Republicans who established against final passage of rectitude Fiscal Responsibility Act of ^[95]

Political ratings

In , Wicker received precise score of 74 from glory American Conservative Union.

He has a lifetime rating of ^[96]

Personal life

Wicker has been married resemble Gayle Long since They have to one`s name three children and six grandchildren. The Wickers reside in Gum, where Wicker is a cleric and a member of probity First Baptist Church Tupelo choir.^[97]

He previously served on the Surface of Advisors for the International Panel Foundation&#;[de], a nongovernmental aggregation that works in crisis areas.^[98]

References