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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Wednesday that GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe will serve as the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. He will succeed the recently departed John McCain, according to The Hill.

An Overview of Inhofe's Upcoming Service

On the Senate floor, McConnell shared the following remarks:

"I’m happy that our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have officially chosen Sen. Inhofe to serve as their next chairman. Jim Inhofe filled in for Sen. McCain during a difficult year. He rose to the occasion and helped lead the committee in passing crucial legislation. [This] honored the example of his predecessor and the volunteers who defend our nation."

McConnell furthermore noted Inhofe's prior service in the Senate Armed Services Committee and in the U.S. Army.

More on Jim Inhofe

During McCain's 2017 treatment for brain cancer, Inhofe stepped in as the acting chairman. He also served as a ranking member between 2013 and 2015. During the 1950s, Inhofe served in the Army for two years.

Unlike the late McCain, Inhofe supports President Donald Trump.

Earlier this year, Inhofe also vocalized his support for Trump.

"I’m a fan of his," he said. "If this had been two years ago when we had 17 Republicans running for president, he’d be the last one I’d think about. That all changed on Oct. 9 two years ago. He called me up, and I didn’t even know him, and he said, 'I'd like to visit with you. Will you come by and see me tomorrow?'"

While many have speculated that he will support the president's agenda, Inhofe has stated that talking about his beliefs is "not appropriate."

"We’ve talked a little bit about some of the things I’ve always believed in," Inhofe said. "That is a heavier responsibility on subcommittees than we’ve had before, but I hesitate to [comment further] for obvious reasons."

As the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, first and foremost, Inhofe will manage policies regarding U.S. defense. This entails working as a "key crafter" of legislation pertaining to annual defense policy. Military fighter jet purchases and military relations with Russia are also some of the matters that Inhofe will oversee.