Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi

Responsibilities

As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Hon. Roger Wicker holds the gavel of SASC’s 27-member committee and its seven subcommittees: Airland; Cybersecurity; Emerging Threats and Capabilities; Personnel; Readiness and Management Support; Seapower and Strategic Forces.      

The cornerstone of SASC’s authority lies in setting the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
 

Stated Priorities

• Align with former President Ronald Reagan’s agenda of “peace through strength.”
• Strengthen shipbuilding capacity to address any potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Build the military’s industrial base.
• Expand weapons systems and force structure.
• Reform the current acquisition program and support a close collaboration between industry and government.

Quote

“America’s enemies are ramping up their war machines, but our military strength has declined. As chairman, I will consult with senior military leaders, guide the Senate’s annual defense legislation through Congress, and help bring needed reform to the Pentagon. As I fulfill each of those responsibilities, I have one overriding priority: rebuilding America’s military strength so we can deter – or, if necessary – win a war.”

Committee Assignments for the 119th Congress Include:

• Senate Committee on Armed Services – Chairman. Served as Ranking Member in 2024.
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. (Was Chairman and Ranking Member for the 116th and 117th Congresses, respectively.)
• Chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), also known as the Helsinki Commission. Founded in 1976, the Commission monitors the 57-member countries, promoting military security, human rights, and economic cooperation within Europe, Eurasia, and North America. Upon accepting his position, Wicker reflected: “I look forward to working on a bicameral, bipartisan basis to seek a just end to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a stronger NATO alliance, and an international order that serves our national interest.” Wicker has been a member of the OSCE since 2009.
• Committee on Rules & Administration.
• Committee on Environment and Public Works.
• Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media.
• Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries.
• Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety.
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Congressional Board of Visitors.

Military Service

Served on active duty in the Air Force from 1976 to 1980. Part of the Air Force Reserve until 2003, serving as a judge advocate. He retired in 2004 as lieutenant colonel. 

Political and Business Career

• 2007- present: Senator from Mississippi.
• 1995-2007: U.S. House of Representatives, Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District.
• 1988-1994: Mississippi State Senate.
• 1984-1987: Public Defender, Lee County. 
• 1980-2003: Air Force Reserve.
• 1980-1982: Staff for Rep. Trent Lott of Mississippi, House Committee on Rules.
• 1976-1980: Air Force Reserve Officer, Training Corps.

Background

Education

A lawyer and politician, Whicker graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. degree in 1969. He later graduated from the same university with a J.D.degree in 1973.

Personal 

Born on July 5, 1951, in Pontotoc, MS., the senator from Mississippi is the son of the late circuit judge Frederick Wicker and Wordna Wicker. He married the former Gayle Long in 1975. The Wickers live in Tupelo, and have three children: Margaret, Caroline and McDaniel.