View source for Roger Wicker

{{Short description|American lawyer and politician (born 1951)}}
{{redirect|Senator Wicker|the Virginia state senate member|John J. Wicker Jr.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Roger Wicker
| image               = Roger Wicker Portrait 2018 full.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2018
| jr/sr               = United States Senator
| state               = [[Mississippi]]
| alongside           = [[Cindy Hyde-Smith]]
| term_start          = December 31, 2007
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Trent Lott]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Senate positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office1             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Senate Armed Services Committee]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2025
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = [[Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician)|Jack Reed]]
| successor1          = 
| office2             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Senate Armed Services Committee]]
| term_start2         = January 3, 2023
| term_end2           = January 3, 2025
| predecessor2        = [[Jim Inhofe]]
| successor2          = [[Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician)|Jack Reed]]
| office3             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]
| term_start3         = February 3, 2021
| term_end3           = January 3, 2023
| predecessor3        = [[Maria Cantwell]]
| successor3          = [[Ted Cruz]]
| office4             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]
| term_start4         = January 3, 2019
| term_end4           = February 3, 2021
| predecessor4        = [[John Thune]]
| successor4          = Maria Cantwell
| office5             = Chair of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]]
| leader5             = [[Mitch McConnell]]
| term_start5         = January 3, 2015
| term_end5           = January 3, 2017
| predecessor5        = [[Jerry Moran]]
| successor5          = [[Cory Gardner]]
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| state6              = [[Mississippi]]
| district6           = {{ushr|MS|1|1st}}
| term_start6         = January 3, 1995
| term_end6           = December 31, 2007
| predecessor6        = [[Jamie Whitten]]
| successor6          = [[Travis Childers]]
| state_senate7       = Mississippi
| district7           = 6th
| term_start7         = January 5, 1988
| term_end7           = January 3, 1995
| predecessor7        = Constituency established
| successor7          = [[Alan Nunnelee]]
| birth_name          = Roger Frederick Wicker
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1951|7|5}}
| birth_place         = [[Pontotoc, Mississippi]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Gayle Long|1975}}
| children            = 3
| education           = [[University of Mississippi]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| website             = {{url|wicker.senate.gov|Senate website}}
| allegiance           = United States 
| branch              = {{tree list}}
* [[United States Air Force]]
** [[United States Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserve]]
{{tree list/end}}
| serviceyears        = {{plainlist|
* 1976–1980 (active)
* 1980–2004 (reserve)
}}
| rank                = [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| unit                = [[United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps|Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps]]
|module      = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Roger Wicker on his support for the United States Innovation and Competition Act.ogg
|title       = Roger Wicker's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Roger Wicker supporting the [[United States Innovation and Competition Act]]<br/>Recorded May 20, 2021}}
}}
'''Roger Frederick Wicker''' (born July 5, 1951) is an American politician, attorney, and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] veteran serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States Senate|United States senator]] from [[Mississippi]], a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Wicker was a [[Mississippi State Senate|Mississippi State Senator]] from 1988 to 1995 and the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] from [[Mississippi's 1st congressional district]] from 1995 until 2007.

Born in [[Pontotoc, Mississippi]], Wicker is a graduate of the [[University of Mississippi]] and the [[University of Mississippi School of Law]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.org/details/almanacofamerica00 |title=The almanac of American politics, 2000 : the senators, the representatives, and the governors : their records and election results, their states and districts |first1=Michael |last1=Barone |first2=Grant |last2=Ujifusa |first3=Richard E. |last3=Cohen |date=December 16, 1999 |publisher=Washington, D.C. : National Journal |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> He was an officer in the [[United States Air Force]] from 1976 to 1980 and a member of the [[United States Air Force Reserves]] from 1980 to 2003. During the 1980s, he worked as a political counselor to then-Congressman [[Trent Lott]] on the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]]. In 1987, Wicker was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 6th district, which included [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]].

Wicker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives [[United States House of Representatives elections, 1994|in 1994]], succeeding retiring 27-term [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Congressman [[Jamie Whitten]]. Wicker served in the House from 1995 to 2007, when he was appointed to the Senate by Governor [[Haley Barbour]] to fill the seat vacated by Lott. Wicker subsequently won a [[2008 United States Senate special election in Mississippi|special election]] for the remainder of the term in 2008 and was reelected to a full term in [[2012 United States Senate election in Mississippi|2012]]. Wicker served as chair of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] from 2015 to 2017 and is a deputy Republican [[Whip (politics)|whip]]. He became the state's senior senator in 2018, when [[Thad Cochran]] resigned, and was reelected [[2018 United States Senate election in Mississippi|later that year]], defeating Democratic nominee [[David Baria]]. He was reelected again in [[2024 United States Senate election in Mississippi|2024]], defeating Democratic nominee Ty Pinkins.

Wicker serves on four committees in the 119th Congress: the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Senate Armed Services Committee, which he chairs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/about/membership | title=Committee Membership &#124; United States Senate Committee on Armed Services }}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Wicker was born on July 5, 1951, in [[Pontotoc, Mississippi]], to Wordna Glen (née Threadgill) and Thomas Frederick "Fred" Wicker, a lawyer and onetime [[Mississippi State Senate|Mississippi state senator]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fred Wicker Obituary (1924 - 2022) - Pontotoc, MS - The Daily Journal |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/djournal/name/fred-wicker-obituary?id=36886924 |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref> At age 16, Wicker worked as a [[United States House of Representatives Page|United States House of Representatives page]] for Representative [[Jamie L. Whitten]] of {{ushr|Mississippi|1|}}.<ref name="faststart">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2014/11/24/roger-wicker-looks-for-fast-start-at-nrsc/|title=Roger Wicker Looks for Fast Start at NRSC|last=Trygstad|first=Kyle|date=November 24, 2014|publisher=Roll Call|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042421/https://www.rollcall.com/2014/11/24/roger-wicker-looks-for-fast-start-at-nrsc/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> He graduated from [[Pontotoc High School]] in 1969.<ref name="congbio" />

Wicker attended the [[University of Mississippi]],<ref name="congbio" /> where he was a member of the [[Sigma Nu]] fraternity<ref name="fall2006">{{cite journal |year=2006 |title=Robert N. Maddox Honor Lecture |journal=The Delta of Sigma Nu |volume=Fall 2006 |pages=27–28 |publisher=Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. |url=http://www.thedeltaofsigmanu.com/1106/default.asp |access-date=October 13, 2012 |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106142239/http://www.thedeltaofsigmanu.com/1106/default.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> and student body president.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sen. Roger Wicker (R) |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/528 |website=National Journal Almanac |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042400/https://www.nationaljournal.com/login/?next=/almanac/member/528/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was inducted into [[Omicron Delta Kappa]] for his student leadership and academic merit. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and [[political science]] in 1973 and a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree in 1975 from the university.<ref name="congbio" />

After graduation, Wicker commissioned into the [[United States Air Force]] as a [[Judge-advocate|Judge Advocate]] from 1976 to 1980.<ref name="congbio">{{CongBio|W000437|inline=1}}</ref><ref name="navyleague">{{cite web |title=Veterans in the US House of Representatives 109th Congress|publisher=[[Navy League of the United States]]|url=http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061129201046/http%3A//www%2Enavyleague%2Eorg/legislative_affairs/HouseVets%2Epdf|archive-date=November 29, 2006}}</ref> Starting in 1980, he was a member of the [[Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserve]]; he retired from the reserve in 2003 as a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref name="congbio"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Roger_Wicker |title=Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post |publisher=Whorunsgov.com |date=September 12, 2013 |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021031941/http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Roger_Wicker |archive-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Early political career==
[[File:Roger Wicker, official 104th Congress photo.png|thumb|Representative Roger Wicker, 1995]]
Wicker began his political career in 1980 as [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]] counsel to U.S. Representative [[Trent Lott]].<ref name=faststart/> He was elected to the [[Mississippi State Senate]] in 1987, spending $25,000 on the race.<ref name=faststart/> He represented the 6th district, which included [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]], from 1988 to 1994.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} He amended a 1994 state Medicaid bill to authorize the [[Mississippi Attorney General]] to contract private attorneys on contingency.{{sfn|Crockett|2014|p=74}}

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections===
In 1994, [[Jamie Whitten]] declined to seek reelection; he had represented the 1st District for 53 years, longer than any other congressman at the time. Wicker ran to succeed him, spending $750,000 on his campaign.<ref name=faststart/> He finished first in a crowded six-way Republican primary with 7,156 votes (26.62%) and proceeded to a runoff with attorney Grant Fox, who received 5,208 votes (19.37%). Former U.S. Attorney Bob Whitwell finished 600 votes short of the runoff with 4,606 votes (17.14%), 1992 nominee Clyde E. Whitaker came fourth with 4,602 votes (17.12%), 1986 nominee Larry Cobb came fifth with 4,162 votes (15.48%) and 1990 nominee Bill Bowlin took the remaining 1,147 votes (4.27%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=430420 |title=MS District 1 - R Primary 1994 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042422/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=430420 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the runoff, Wicker defeated Fox, 11,905 votes (53.07%) to 10,527 (46.93%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=430422 |title=MS District 1 - R Runoff 1994 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref>

In the general election, Wicker defeated Fulton attorney Bill Wheeler, 80,553 votes (63.06%) to 47,192 (36.94%),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28915 |title=MS District 1 1994 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042432/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28915 |url-status=live }}</ref> making him the first Republican to represent the 1st district in over a century. This was not considered an upset, as the 1st has always been a rather conservative district (especially in the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] suburbs). The district had only supported the Democratic nominee for president once since 1956, when [[Jimmy Carter]] carried the district in 1976. Although Whitten had a nearly unbreakable hold on the district, it had been considered very likely that he would be succeeded by a Republican once he retired.

Wicker was reelected six times without serious difficulty, never receiving less than 65% of the vote. In 2004, he was unopposed by a Democratic candidate, facing only [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] nominee [[2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi|Barbara Dale Washer]], whom he defeated by 219,328 votes (79.01%) to 58,256 (20.99%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4206 |title=MS District 1 2004 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042405/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4206 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Tenure===
Assuming office in 1995, Wicker was president of the freshman class, which included 53 other new Republican representatives, elected as part of the [[Republican Revolution|1994 "Republican Revolution"]].<ref name=faststart/>

Wicker was a member of the [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|House Appropriations Committee]]. He was also deputy Republican [[Party whips of the United States House of Representatives|whip]].

In Congress, Wicker worked on issues related to medical research and on economic development for his home state. He advocated private-public partnerships to bring investment to rural areas. Wicker also worked for veterans' issues while serving as a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.<ref>[https://wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutRoger.Biography About Roger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042424/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutRoger.Biography |date=November 17, 2020 }} from Wicker's official U.S. Senate website</ref> In his final year as representative, Wicker topped the list in [[Earmark (politics)|earmarks]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/03/congress.earmarks/index.html| title=They're back: Representatives reveal their earmarks| date=April 4, 2009| access-date=April 4, 2009| publisher=CNN| quote=The top earmark requester in the House last year—now Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi—has not yet posted any earmarks for this year.| archive-date=November 17, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042425/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/03/congress.earmarks/index.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Wicker was criticized after securing a $6 million earmark for a defense company whose executives had made significant contributions to his campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mosk|first1=Matthew|title=Wicker's Earmark Elicits Criticism|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011503355.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 13, 2014|date=January 16, 2009|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042414/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011503355.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==U.S. Senate==

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]] (Chair)
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland|Subcommittee on Airland]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity|Subcommittee on Cybersecurity]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities|Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel|Subcommittee on Personnel]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support|Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower|Subcommittee on Seapower]]
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces|Subcommittee on Strategic Forces]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation]]
** [[United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation|Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation]]
** [[United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband|Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband]] 
** [[United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard|Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard]]
** [[United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports|Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Committee on Environment and Public Works]]
** [[United States Senate Environment Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety|Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety]]
** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health|Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health]]
** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration|Committee on Rules and Administration]]
* [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (Vice Ranking Member)

===Caucus memberships===
* Congressional Human Rights Caucus
* Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
* [[Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|format=|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=25 March 2025}}</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]]
* Interstate 69 Caucus (Co-Chair)
* Sportsmen's Caucus
* Tennessee Valley Authority Congressional Caucus
* [[Rare Disease Caucus]] (Co-Chair)<ref>{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=21 March 2025}}</ref>
* [[Senate Taiwan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=February 5, 2004|accessdate=25 March 2025}}</ref>

===Appointment===
On November 26, 2007, Senator [[Trent Lott]] announced that he would resign before the end of the year to become a lobbyist. At a press conference on December 31, 2007, Mississippi Governor [[Haley Barbour]] appointed Wicker to fill the Senate seat Lott vacated on December 18, 2007.<ref>{{cite news | last = Rupp | first = Leah | title = Barbour names Wicker to Senate seat | newspaper = [[Clarion-Ledger]] | date = December 31, 2007 |url=http://clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071231/NEWS/71231008 | access-date = December 31, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was sworn in by the Senate clerk just before that news conference.<ref>Nossiter, Adam, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/washington/01senator.html "Congressman Named to Fill Lott's Senate Seat"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042401/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/washington/01senator.html |date=November 17, 2020 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 1, 2008.</ref>

===Elections===
;2008
{{main|2008 United States Senate special election in Mississippi}}
Wicker ran for the remainder of Lott's term in the November 2008 special election against Democrat [[Ronnie Musgrove]], Barbour's predecessor as governor. Wicker defeated Musgrove, 683,409 votes (54.96%) to 560,064 (45.04%). Wicker's resignation from the House also triggered a May 13, 2008, [[Mississippi's 1st congressional district special election, 2008|special election]] to fill the vacancy in the House, which was won by Democratic nominee [[Travis Childers]].

;2012
{{main|2012 United States Senate election in Mississippi}}
Wicker ran for reelection to a full term in 2012. He was opposed by Robert Maloney and [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] activist E. Allen Hathcock in the Republican primary, defeating them by 254,936 votes (89.17%) to 18,857 (6.60%) and 12,106 (4.23%), respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=510016 |title=MS US Senate - R Primary 2012 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042406/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=510016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the general election, he defeated Albert Gore, the Chairman of the [[Oktibbeha County, Mississippi|Oktibbeha County]] Democratic Party and a distant relative of former Vice President [[Al Gore]], 709,626 votes (57.16%) to 503,467 (40.55%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=507742 |title=MS US Senate 2012 |publisher=OurCampaigns |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042441/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=507742 |url-status=live }}</ref>

;2018
{{main|2018 United States Senate election in Mississippi}}
Wicker defeated Democratic nominee David Baria, a state legislator, with 58.5% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mississippi |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2018/results/mississippi |website=CNN |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

;2024
{{main|2024 United States Senate election in Mississippi}}
Wicker defeated two opponents in the Republican primary with roughly 60% of the vote<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Herb |title=Mississippi's Ezell, Wicker win Republican primaries easily |url=https://rollcall.com/2024/03/12/mississippis-ezell-wicker-win-republican-primaries-easily/ |website=Roll Call |date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref> and Democratic nominee Ty Pinkins in the general election with 62.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Muhammad |first1=Shaunicy |title=Democrat Ty Pinkins Relaunches 2024 Challenge to U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker |url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/democrat-ty-pinkins-relaunches-2024-challenge-to-u-s-sen-roger-wicker/ |website=Mississippi Free Press |date=January 9, 2024 |access-date=9 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Official Results Total Votes Reported by Counties for Federal General Election| website=MS SOS | url=https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections/electionresults/2024%20Official%20Statewide%20Results.pdf | access-date=2024-11-22}}</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker with U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.jpg|thumb|U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker meets with U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi in the Dirksen Senate Office building.]]
On September 16, 2010, President [[Barack Obama]] announced his intent to nominate Wicker as representative of the United States to the Sixty-fifth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/15/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts &#124; The White House |date=September 15, 2010 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Brett Kavanaugh and Roger Wicker.jpg|thumb|Supreme Court Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker]]
In the Senate, Wicker is a member of the Senate Republicans' whip team and has repeatedly introduced a bill to overturn ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'', the Supreme Court decision ruling abortion bans unconstitutional. Wicker called the [[Affordable Care Act]] the "great fight for the rest of this term, maybe our lifetimes" and later introduced a bill to enable state officials to challenge the law. In the interest of protecting gun owners, he amended a fiscal 2010 transportation spending bill to allow Amtrak passengers to carry firearms and ammunition in checked baggage.<ref name="The Almanac of America Politics">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/528| title=The Almanac of America Politics| magazine=National Journal| access-date=October 10, 2013| archive-date=November 17, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042428/https://www.nationaljournal.com/login/?next=/almanac/member/528/| url-status=live}}</ref>

Wicker and Representative [[Gene Taylor (Mississippi politician)|Gene Taylor]] pushed amendments allowing purchasers of federal flood insurance to add wind coverage to their policies, helpful to a hurricane-prone state. As a member of the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (Helsinki Commission) monitoring human rights and other issues, in late 2012 Wicker worked with Senator [[Ben Cardin]] to enact a bill imposing penalties on Russians accused of violating human rights. The measure led Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] to announce a subsequent ban on U.S. adoptions of Russian-born children.<ref name="The Almanac of America Politics"/>

Wicker was one of three politicians targeted during the [[April 2013 ricin letters|April 2013 ricin letters bioterrorism]] attack. On April 16, 2013, a letter addressed to Wicker tested positive for the poison [[ricin]] as part of a series of letters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Possible ricin-tainted letter sent to Sen. Wicker|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/16/ricin-letter-wicker/2088969/?csp=breakingnews|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=April 17, 2013|first1=Kevin|last1=Johnson|first2=Gregory|last2=Korte|date=April 16, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042424/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/16/ricin-letter-wicker/2088969/?csp=breakingnews|url-status=live}}</ref> The letter was detected by postal officials and law enforcement and prevented from reaching the Capitol.<ref name="Ricin Examiner 17 April">{{cite web|last=Ferrechio|first=Susan|title=Poison-laced letter sent to senator|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/poison-laced-letter-sent-to-senator/article/2527386|publisher=The Examiner|access-date=April 17, 2013|date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> The letter was tested three times, with each test confirming the presence of ricin.<ref name="Ricin Examiner 17 April"/>

In July 2013, Wicker proposed that the Senate meet to discuss a controversial change to [[filibuster]] rules. The Senate held the private meeting in the Old Senate chamber to discuss Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]]'s threat of the so-called "nuclear option", which would change the rules for Senate votes on Obama's executive branch nominees. Wicker said he hoped the chamber's bipartisan past could serve as an inspiration for the debate about the nuclear option: "I think there are concessions that can be made on both sides. And then I would just hope that, institutionally, we can get away from this mindset."<ref>{{cite web|title=Old Chamber Tapped as Symbolic Venue for 'Dysfunctional' Senate to Compromise|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/old-chamber-tapped-as-symbolic-venue-for-dysfunctional-senate-to-compromise/|first=Joan E.|last=Greve|publisher=ABC News|access-date=July 15, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042441/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/old-chamber-tapped-as-symbolic-venue-for-dysfunctional-senate-to-compromise/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wicker supported the [[Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 (S. 2363; 113th Congress)]], a bill related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, aimed at improving "the public's ability to enjoy the outdoors."<ref name=WickerPRJune17>{{cite web|title=Wicker, Cochran Sign on to Sportsmen's Legislative Package|url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2014/6/wicker-cochran-sign-on-to-sportsmen-s-legislative-package|publisher=Office of Senator Wicker|access-date=June 20, 2014|date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042429/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2014/6/wicker-cochran-sign-on-to-sportsmen-s-legislative-package|url-status=live}}</ref> He said, "Mississippians know the importance of efforts to preserve our natural resources for future generations."<ref name="WickerPRJune17"/>

Wicker was elected chair of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] for the 114th U.S. Congress on November 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/roger-wicker-national-republican-senatorial-committee-112865.html |title=Roger Wicker wins NRSC race |first=Burgess |last=Everett |author2=Seung Min Kim |publisher=Politico |date=November 13, 2014 |access-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042410/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/roger-wicker-national-republican-senatorial-committee-112865 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Weeks after the [[2014 Hong Kong class boycott campaign]] and [[Umbrella Movement]] broke out, demanding [[2014 Hong Kong protests|genuine universal suffrage among other goals]], Wicker joined Senator [[Sherrod Brown]] and Representative [[Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)|Chris Smith]]'s effort to introduce the [[Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act]], which would update the [[United States–Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992]] and U.S. commitment to [[Democratic development in Hong Kong|Hong Kong's freedom and democracy]]. "U.S. should stand steadfast with the [[people of Hong Kong]] in [[Localism in Hong Kong|their fight]] to exercise [[self-determination]]," Wicker said, and "speak with a unified American voice in support of [[universal rights|universal freedom]] and [[democratic values]]. The Congress and the Obama Administration should act to ensure China honors its [[Sino-British Joint Declaration|longstanding obligation]] under [[international law]] to maintain Hong Kong's [[autonomy]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6a3ecd77-5afb-47be-b4e5-6afae6fd8f1e |title=Wicker Joins Bill to Support Hong Kong's Freedom and Democracy |date=November 13, 2014 |website=wicker.senate.gov |access-date=July 22, 2016 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042447/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6a3ecd77-5afb-47be-b4e5-6afae6fd8f1e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2922 S.2922 - Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927041028/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2922 |date=September 27, 2019 }}, [[Congress.gov]], November 13, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gordon-crovitz-china-voids-hong-kong-rights-1418601004 |title=China 'Voids' Hong Kong Rights: Beijing abrogates the 1984 treaty it signed with Britain to guarantee the city's autonomy |first=L. Gordon |last=Crovitz |date=December 14, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818104726/http://www.wsj.com/articles/gordon-crovitz-china-voids-hong-kong-rights-1418601004 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-useful-hong-kong-rebuke-1422663941 |title=Review & Outlook: A Useful Hong Kong Rebuke |date=January 30, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818035234/http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-useful-hong-kong-rebuke-1422663941 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2017, Wicker co-sponsored the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]] (s. 720), which made it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against [[Israel]] and [[Israeli settlement]]s in the [[West Bank]] if protesting actions by the Israeli government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=23 March 2017|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621142604/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=2017-07-19|website=Intelligencer|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727013113/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2020, a group of Senate Republicans planned to introduce a privacy bill that would regulate the data collected by coronavirus contact tracing apps. The COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act would "provide all Americans with more transparency, choice, and control over the collection and use of their personal health, geolocation, and proximity data", according to a joint statement. Wicker said the legislation also would "hold businesses accountable to consumers if they use personal data to fight the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]." The act would permit the creation of "platforms that could trace the virus and help flatten the curve and stop the spread – and maintaining privacy protections for [[Citizenship of the United States|U.S. citizens]]", Wicker said.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senators' plan for reining in contact tracing apps doesn't make a lot of sense|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21243977/gop-senators-contact-tracing-data-coronavirus-covid-19-privacy|last=Lyons|first=Kim|date=2020-05-01|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042406/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21243977/gop-senators-contact-tracing-data-coronavirus-covid-19-privacy|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Amy Coney Barrett Meets with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker.jpg|thumb|Supreme Court nominee Judge [[Amy Coney Barrett]] and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker.]]
In September 2020, less than two months before the next presidential election, Wicker supported an immediate Senate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]]'s death, saying that Senate Republicans had "promised to confirm well qualified, conservative judges" and that there was a "constitutional duty" to fill vacancies. In March 2016, Wicker had taken the opposite position by declining to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year, saying that the "American people should have the opportunity to make their voices heard before filling a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |access-date=September 27, 2020 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031171254/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wicker announced before the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count]] that he would vote to certify the election on January 6, 2021.<ref name="Dixon">{{cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Justin |title=Sen. Roger Wicker to certify Biden's presidential win |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2021/01/06/sen-roger-wicker-certify-bidens-presidential-win/ |access-date=12 January 2021 |work=WLBT |date=6 January 2021}}</ref> He was participating in the certification when Trump supporters [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|attacked the U.S. Capitol]]. When the Capitol was secure and Congress returned to complete the certification, Wicker voted to certify the count, with his senate counterpart, [[Cindy Hyde-Smith]] objecting to the count.<ref name="Beveridge">{{cite news |last1=Beveridge |first1=Lici |title=How did Mississippi congressmen and senators act on accepting Electoral College votes? |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/07/mississippi-lawmakers-dc-divided-electoral-college-vote/6578433002/ |access-date=12 January 2021 |work=The Clarion-Ledger |date=7 January 2021}}</ref> In the wake of the violence and certification, Wicker called for perpetrators to be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law" and said, "we must work together to rebuild confidence in our institutions."<ref name="Carter">{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Josh |title=Sen. Wicker: Division in America which lead to Capitol Hill riot 'cannot be ignored' |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2021/01/08/sen-wicker-division-america-which-lead-capitol-hill-riot-cannot-be-ignored/ |access-date=12 January 2021 |work=WLBT |date=8 January 2021}}</ref> Wicker opposed Trump's removal from office, encouraging a [[peaceful transfer of power]] on Inauguration Day.<ref name="Carlisle">{{cite news |last1=Carlisle |first1=Zac |title=Congressmen from Mississippi respond to ongoing effort to remove President Trump from office |url=https://www.wtva.com/content/news/Congressman-statements-573572071.html |access-date=12 January 2021 |work=WTVA News |date=11 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111215600/https://www.wtva.com/content/news/Congressman-statements-573572071.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2021, after Congress passed the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]], Wicker highlighted on social media that the bill awarded $28.6 billion of "targeted relief" to "independent restaurant operators" to "survive the pandemic". In that post, he neglected to mention that he had voted against the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochrane |first1=Emily |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |title=A G.O.P. senator tweets approvingly about part of the stimulus bill, without mentioning one detail: his 'no' vote. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/us/roger-wicker-tweet-stimulus.html |access-date=March 11, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

After President [[Joe Biden]] said that he planned to select a black woman to appoint to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] in January 2022, Wicker told Mississippi radio host [[Paul Gallo (radio personality)|Paul Gallo]] that the nominee would be a "beneficiary" of an affirmative action "quota",<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-29|title=Wicker: Black Woman Supreme Court Pick An Affirmative Action 'Beneficiary'|url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/20244/wicker-black-woman-supreme-court-pick-an-affirmative-action-beneficiary/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=Mississippi Free Press|language=en-US}}</ref> drawing a rebuke from the White House.<ref>{{Cite news|title=White House pushes back after Republican senator says Supreme Court pick will be 'beneficiary' of affirmative action|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/29/white-house-pushes-back-after-republican-senator-says-supreme-court-pick-will-be-beneficiary-affirmative-action/|access-date=2022-02-25|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==Political positions==
[[The Heritage Foundation]] gave Wicker a lifetime [[Conservatism|conservative]] rating of 61% (the average Republican scored 79%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sen. Roger Wicker - Scorecard 117: 69% |url=https://heritageaction.com/scorecard |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Heritage Action For America |language=en}}</ref> As of December 2017, Wicker ranks 14th of 98 in the ''Bipartisan Index'' compiled by [[The Lugar Center]], which reflects a low level of partisanship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Work: The Lugar Center|website=thelugarcenter.org|url=http://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html|access-date=December 28, 2017|language=de|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115111014/http://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Wicker identifies as a [[Fiscal conservatism|fiscal conservative]], but has voted to increase federal spending for agriculture, infrastructure, and military projects throughout Mississippi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Wicker Hails Passage of Defense Bill |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2022/12/wicker-hails-passage-of-defense-bill |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=Wicker Welcomes $48.1 Million in USDA Watershed Infrastructure Funding to Mississippi |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2022/4/wicker-welcomes-48-1-million-in-usda-watershed-infrastructure-funding-to-mississippi |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fiscal Responsibility |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/fiscal-responsibility |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===

As a U.S. representative, Wicker supported the [[Iraq War]] and called it just.<ref name="Elkins">{{Cite web |last=Elkins |first=Ashley |title=Wicker: Iraqi war a just one |url=https://www.djournal.com/news/wicker-iraqi-war-a-just-one/article_787da50c-bce9-5525-b12c-aa130ec85c33.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal |date=February 7, 2004 |language=en}}</ref> He believed it was necessary to remove [[Saddam Hussein]] from power.<ref name="Elkins"/>

Wicker supported the 2001 [[United States invasion of Afghanistan]] and called the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 "one of the biggest foreign policy catastrophes in my lifetime." He also said, "we were better off with a Korea-like presence".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=SAM R. HALL Daily |title=Afghanistan collapse to Taliban already hurting U.S. with allies, Sen. Roger Wicker says |url=https://www.djournal.com/news/taliban-demands-return-afghanistan-refugees-uzbekistan-roger-wicker/article_ca94ecf7-5aed-5dcd-afd3-ea063a197db1.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal |date=August 17, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Afterward, he cosponsored legislation that would have ended official diplomatic relations with Afghanistan's new [[Taliban]] government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-04 |title=Wicker, Hyde-Smith Cosponsor Afghanistan Accountability Act |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2021/10/wicker-hyde-smith-cosponsor-afghanistan-accountability-act |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2021, Wicker said the U.S. should consider a [[First strike (nuclear strategy)|preemptive nuclear strike]] against [[Russia]]: "we don't rule out first-use nuclear action."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaonga |first=Gerrard |date=2021-12-08 |title=Joe Biden Should Consider Nuclear Strike on Russia Over Ukraine—GOP Senator |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-joe-biden-nuclear-attack-ukraine-roger-wicker-1657182 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> He said this two months before the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] began in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pittman |first1=Ashton |title=Sen. Wicker: Don't Rule Out Hitting Russia With Nukes, Ground Troops |url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/18727/sen-wicker-dont-rule-out-attacking-russia-with-nukes-ground-troops |website=Mississippi Free Press |access-date=24 February 2023 |date=8 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Suresh |first=Meera |date=2021-12-10 |title=Gabbard Calls Sen. Wicker 'Ignorant, Sadistic And Insane' For Nuclear 'Warmongering' With Russia |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/gabbard-calls-sen-wicker-ignorant-sadistic-insane-nuclear-warmongering-russia-3355291 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=International Business Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Wicker also supported implementing a [[no-fly zone]] over Ukraine in 2022, which the ''[[National Review]]'' called "a very bad idea".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-01 |title=Senator Wicker's Proposed No-Fly Zone Is a Very Bad Idea |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/senator-wickers-proposed-no-fly-zone-is-a-very-bad-idea/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=National Review |language=en-US}}</ref>

Wicker is an ardent [[Zionism|Zionist]] and one of the most pro-Israel U.S. politicians. According to the [[American Jewish Congress]], he "opposed the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Iran Deal]] and opposed UN Security Resolution 2334", which affirmed that [[Israeli settlement|Israel's settlement]] activity violated [[international law]].<ref name="Roger Wicker">{{Cite web |title=Roger Wicker |url=https://ajcongress.org/jewishpoliticalguide/senators/roger-wicker/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Jewish Political Guide |language=en-US}}</ref> Wicker also voted for the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]], supported the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, and cosponsored the United States-Israel Security Authorization Act of 2018, which allocated military funding for Israel regardless of the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict|Palestinian question]].<ref name="Roger Wicker"/> He opposed opening a U.S. Palestinian consulate in East Jerusalem, which would have answered to the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-24 |title=Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Guest Oppose Creation of Unofficial U.S. Consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2022/6/wicker-hyde-smith-guest-oppose-creation-of-unofficial-u-s-consulate-to-the-palestinians-in-jerusalem |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref> Wicker opposes any form of humanitarian aid to Palestinians during the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite web|title=US should not provide humanitarian aid to Gaza: Sen. Roger Wicker|website=[[Fox News]] |date=October 23, 2023 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6339726314112}}</ref>

===Defense===
Wicker has called for increasing the defense budget to 5 percent of the GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/17/roger-wicker-trump-foil-defense-00294328|title=
An influential GOP senator is contradicting Trump's team — and getting away with it|date=2025-04-17|accessdate=2025-04-17|publisher=Politico}}</ref>

=== Refugees ===
Wicker strongly supports expanding U.S. visas for [[2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis|Ukrainian refugees]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dress |first=Brad |date=2022-03-12 |title=Bipartisan group of senators to meet with officials, visit refugee sites in Poland |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/597988-bipartisan-group-of-senators-to-meet-with-officials-visit-refugee-sites/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> He previously opposed Mississippi accepting [[Refugees of the Syrian civil war|Syrian refugees]] who fled from war-torn Syria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulmer |first=Sarah |date=2015-11-17 |title=Senator Roger Wicker Says Time to Put a Hold on Syrian Refugee Influx |url=https://www.supertalk.fm/senator-roger-wicker-says-time-to-put-a-hold-on-syrian-refugee-influx/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=SuperTalk Mississippi |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Ukraine ===
Wicker has been one of Ukraine's strongest Republican supporters. He voted each time for aid to Ukraine.<ref name="wicker.senate.gov">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-02 |title=Wicker Pushes Military Aid for Ukraine |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2022/5/wicker-pushes-military-aid-for-ukraine |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref> In a press release, Wicker wrote: "President Reagan once called the Soviet Union 'the focus of evil in the modern world.' After two months of unprovoked brutality, it is obvious that the Kremlin remains one of the chief forces for evil in our world."<ref name="wicker.senate.gov"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-30 |title=The Gorbachev era and the collapse of the Soviet Union |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/gorbachev-era-collapse-soviet-union-2022-08-30/ |access-date=2022-12-23}}</ref>

On February 13, 2024, Wicker voted for Schumer's bill to appropriate aid for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.<ref name="mfp1">{{cite news |url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/39789/sen-hyde-smith-votes-against-ukraine-aid-wicker-in-favor |title=Sen. Hyde-Smith Votes Against Ukraine Aid, Wicker in Favor |date=February 13, 2024 }}</ref> The ''[[Washington Post]]'' characterized this as deserting the Republican Party, when in reality the split was 22-28.<ref name="wapo1">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2024/republicans-senate-vote-ukraine-israel-aid/}}</ref> On April 23, Wicker [[2024 United States federal budget#Senate vote|voted in favor of aid to Ukraine]].<ref name="dn1">{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2023/12/06/ukraine-aid-in-peril-as-senate-republicans-walk-out-of-heated-briefing/ |title=Ukraine aid in peril as Senate Republicans walk out of heated briefing |date=December 6, 2023 }}</ref> It was remarked that "Reagan Republicans", including Wicker, [[Mitch McConnell]], and House Speaker [[Mike Johnson]], had split from Trump, at the time the presumptive Republican nominee.<ref name="apn1">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-aid-congress-republicans-trump-johnson-mcconnell-4cb76cfdefc38f35c1bda2ac8915b179 |title=To pass Ukraine aid, 'Reagan Republican' leaders in Congress navigated a party transformed by Trump |date=April 24, 2024 }}</ref>

In May 2024, Wicker, [[John Thune]], and [[John Cornyn]] urged Speaker Johnson not to agree to anything with [[Marjorie Taylor Greene]], who was plotting to oust him, in order to save his position.<ref name="hill1">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4649990-gop-senators-warn-speaker-greene-ukraine-demand/ |title=GOP senators warn Speaker to stand firm on Greene's Ukraine demand |date=May 8, 2024 }}</ref>

=== Mississippi flag ===
From 2015 until it was [[2020 Mississippi flag referendum|finally changed in 2020]], Wicker sought to change the [[Flag of Mississippi|Mississippi flag]], calling it offensive to many of his "fellow citizens".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-24 |title=Wicker Statement on Mississippi Flag |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2015/6/wicker-statement-on-mississippi-flag |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref> 64% of Mississippians voted to keep the flag in a [[2001 Mississippi flag referendum|2001 referendum]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Firestone |first=David |date=2001-04-18 |title=Mississippi Votes by Wide Margin to Keep State Flag That Includes Confederate Emblem |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/18/us/mississippi-votes-wide-margin-keep-state-flag-that-includes-confederate-emblem.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Wicker supported nullifying that vote in 2020 and replacing the flag without a new referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-30 |title=Wicker Statement on Changing the Mississippi State Flag |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2020/6/wicker-statement-on-changing-the-mississippi-state-flag |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |language=en}}</ref>

=== Confederacy ===
While discussing Mississippi's [[Flag of Mississippi#Second flag (1894–2020)|previous state flag]], Wicker said his [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] military ancestors were "Americans" and "brave".<ref>{{cite web |first=Burgess |last=Everett |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/roger-wicker-mississippi-state-flag-confederate-removal-119369/ |title=Mississippi GOP senators reverse course on state flag |publisher=Politico.com |date=June 24, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2021 }}</ref>

===Climate change===
In 2015, Wicker was the only U.S. senator to vote against an amendment declaring that [[climate change]] is real. The final vote was 98 to 1, with Senator [[Harry Reid]], the Democratic leader from Nevada, not voting.<ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Rogers |url=http://time.com/3677496/climate-change-wicker-inhofe/ |title=Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker Only No Vote on 'Climate Change is Real' |publisher=Time.com |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042407/https://time.com/3677496/climate-change-wicker-inhofe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The amendment affirmed that "climate change is real and not a hoax."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/98-1-u-s-senate-passes-amendment-saying-climate-change-real-not-hoax |title=By 98 to 1, U.S. Senate passes amendment saying climate change is real, not a hoax |first=David |last=Malakoff| author2=Puneet Kollipara|publisher=Science |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref>

In 2017, Wicker was one of 22 senators to sign a letter<ref>{{cite web|last1=Inhofe|first1=James|title=Senator|url=https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606005302/https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1|url-status=live}}</ref> to President Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the [[Paris Agreement]]. According to [[OpenSecrets]], Wicker has received over $200,000 from the oil and gas industry since 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/01/republican-senators-paris-climate-deal-energy-donations|access-date=June 1, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 1, 2017|title=The Republicans who urged Trump to pull out of Paris deal are big oil darlings|archive-date=June 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601120951/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/01/republican-senators-paris-climate-deal-energy-donations|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2023, Wicker initially supported the Foreign Pollution Fee Act co-sponsored by [[Lindsey Graham]] and [[Bill Cassidy]]. Endorsed by the [[Sierra Club]], the bill (S. 3198; referred to the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Senate Finance Committee]]) proposed imposing a [[Eco-tariff|carbon tariff]] on energy and industrial [[import]]s based on the good's [[emission intensity]] or [[carbon footprint]] as compared with the same domestic good to impose a [[carbon price]] on goods from [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions|countries with greater greenhouse gas emissions]] than the [[Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States|United States]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Budryk|first=Zach|date=November 2, 2023|title=Republican bill would impose fee on imports from foreign polluters|work=The Hill|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4290427-republican-bill-would-impose-fee-imports-foreign-polluters/|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Siegel|first=Josh|date=November 2, 2023|title=Senate Republicans introduce a climate bill — aimed at China|website=Politico|publisher=Axel Springer SE|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/02/senate-gop-climate-bill-china-00124909|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Senate – November 2, 2023|journal=[[Congressional Record]]|volume=169|issue=181|publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office|U.S. Government Printing Office]]|pages=S5338|url=https://www.congress.gov/118/crec/2023/11/02/169/181/CREC-2023-11-02-pt1-PgS5338.pdf|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref> Wicker subsequently withdrew co-sponsorship of the bill.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dumain|first=Emma|date=January 19, 2024|title=What's next for the committee-passed carbon tariff bill?|website=[[Environment & Energy Publishing|E&E News]]|publisher=[[Politico]], [[Axel Springer SE]]|url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/whats-next-for-the-committee-passed-carbon-tariff-bill/|access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>

===Gun law===
Wicker's support for pro-gun legislation and gun rights has earned him an A+ rating from the [[NRA Political Victory Fund]] (NRA-PVF). The NRA-PVF endorsed Wicker during the 2012 election.<ref name="NRAPVT1005G">{{cite web|title=NRA-PVF Endorses Roger Wicker for U.S. Senate in Mississippi|url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20120927/nra-pvf-endorses-roger-wicker-for-us-senate-in-mississippi|website=NRA-PVF|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042444/https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20120927/nra-pvf-endorses-roger-wicker-for-us-senate-in-mississippi|url-status=live}}</ref> Wicker has said that he will [[filibuster]] any bill that he feels "infringes" on the Second Amendment, including weapon bans.<ref name="Perry1005G">{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Brian|title=Wicker right to debate guns - Madison County Journal - Madison County Mississippi|url=http://onlinemadison.com/Content/EDITORIALS/Editorials/Article/PERRY-Wicker-right-to-debate-guns/3/3/26493|website=Madison County Journal - Madison County Mississippi|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en-us|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101347/http://onlinemadison.com/Content/EDITORIALS/Editorials/Article/PERRY-Wicker-right-to-debate-guns/3/3/26493|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has received $21,350 in funding from gun lobbyists for his political activities.<ref name="Coulter1005G">{{cite web|last1=Coulter|first1=Shannon|title=Meet the 46 U.S. Senators Who Voted Against Sensible Gun Control Law|url=https://medium.com/@shannoncoulter/meet-the-46-u-s-senators-who-voted-against-sensible-gun-control-law-1ac66dcabbad|website=Medium|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042419/https://medium.com/@shannoncoulter/meet-the-46-u-s-senators-who-voted-against-sensible-gun-control-law-1ac66dcabbad|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, Wicker introduced a bill allowing [[Amtrak]] passengers to check unloaded and locked [[handgun]]s in their luggage. The law passed 68–30. His rationale for the bill was that people's Second Amendment rights were violated on a federally subsidized train system if they could not bring their guns.<ref name="Becker1005G">{{cite web|last1=Becker|first1=Bernie|title=Senate Votes to O.K. Checked Guns on Amtrak|url=https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/senate-votes-to-ok-guns-on-amtrak/?_r=0|website=The Caucus|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042418/https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/senate-votes-to-ok-guns-on-amtrak/?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

One day after the [[2015 San Bernardino attack]], Wicker voted against a bill, co-sponsored by a Democrat and a Republican, that would make [[background check]]s mandatory when a person buys a gun. He said he voted against it because he feared it would have "opened the door to a national [[gun registry]]."<ref name="Dreher1005G">{{cite web|last1=Dreher|first1=Arielle|title=Cochran, Wicker Voted No on Gun Background Checks|url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2015/dec/04/cochran-wicker-voted-no-gun-background-checks/|website=Jackson Free Press|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042415/https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2015/dec/04/cochran-wicker-voted-no-gun-background-checks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Wicker voted in favor of "a joint resolution of disapproval aimed at former President Obama's executive action requiring the Social Security Administration (SSA) place beneficiaries on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System 'mental defective' list."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0532A3E1-B8D2-4C75-80A2-C04A11DB05A5|title=Miss. Senators Vote to Overturn Obama-era Rule Infringing on Second Amendment|last=Wicker|first=Roger|website=www.wicker.senate.gov|date=February 15, 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-03-20|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042457/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0532A3E1-B8D2-4C75-80A2-C04A11DB05A5|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Secularism===
Wicker asked the [[United States Navy]] to deny the admission of a [[Secular humanism|secular humanist]] to the [[United States Navy Chaplain Corps|Chaplain Corps]], saying, "It is troubling that the Navy could allow a self-avowed atheist to serve in the Chaplain Corps."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2018/03/13/wicker-other-senators-oppose-atheist-navy-chaplain/419998002/ |newspaper=[[Clarion-Ledger]] |title=Wicker, other senators oppose atheist Navy chaplain |first=Geoff |last=Pender |date=March 13, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 }}</ref>

===January 6 commission===
On May 28, 2021, Wicker voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/}}</ref>

==Political ratings==
In 2023, Wicker received a score of 68% from the [[American Conservative Union]]. He has a lifetime rating of 82%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Roger Wicker|url=https://www.cpac.org/bio/w000437|access-date=May 4, 2025|website=American Conservative Union Foundation|publisher=The American Conservative Union}}</ref>

[[File:Roger Wicker, official Congressional photo portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|Official photo as U.S. Representative]]

==Personal life==
Wicker has been married to Gayle Long since 1975. They have three children and six grandchildren. The Wickers reside in [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]], where Wicker is a [[deacon]] and a member of the First Baptist Church Tupelo choir.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roger Wicker Biography|url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography|website=Roger Wicker Senate|access-date=November 20, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117042415/https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography|url-status=live}}</ref>

He previously served on the Board of Advisors for the {{ill|Global Panel Foundation|de}}, a nongovernmental organization that works in crisis areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://globalpanel.org/boards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920100036/http://www.globalpanel.org/boards |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |title=Global Panel Foundation &#124; Meeting the World in Person |publisher=Globalpanel.org |access-date=April 9, 2015 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite book| last = Crockett| first = James R. | title = Power, Greed, and Hubris: Judicial Bribery in Mississippi| publisher = University Press of Mississippi| date = 2014| location = | edition = reprint|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KEAXAgAAQBAJ| isbn = 9781617039188}}

==External links==
{{commons|Roger Wicker}}
* [https://wicker.senate.gov/ Senator Roger Wicker] official U.S. Senate website
* [http://www.wickerforsenate.com/ Roger Wicker for Senate]
* {{CongLinks | congbio=W000437 | votesmart=21926 | fec=S8MS00196 | congress=roger-wicker/1226 }}
* {{C-SPAN|18203}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wicker, Roger}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American military personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Mississippi Legislature]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century United States senators]]
[[Category:American military lawyers]]
[[Category:Baptists from Mississippi]]
[[Category:United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Mississippi lawyers]]
[[Category:Mississippi Republicans]]
[[Category:People from Pontotoc, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tupelo, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Republican Party Mississippi state senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party United States senators from Mississippi]]
[[Category:Southern Baptists]]
[[Category:United States Air Force officers]]
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[[Category:University of Mississippi School of Law alumni]]