Editing Roger Wicker (section)

==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=http://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>