Senator Roger Wicker is a senior member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, where he has consistently championed democratic values, the rule of law, and peace and security in the OSCE region. He has served as a Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) since 2017. From November 2014 to July 2017, Senator Wicker chaired the OSCE PA Committee on Political Affairs and Security, where his work centered on sustaining constructive security dialogue among all participating States and ensuring compliance with international commitments.
In 2021, Senator Wicker and current Helsinki Commission Chair Senator Ben Cardin introduced the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Reauthorization Act. This would strengthen the United States’ successful Global Magnitsky sanctions against human rights violators and corrupt individuals. In addition to serving in leadership roles at the Helsinki Commission and within the OSCE PA, Senator Wicker has served as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He was previously Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet.
Senator Wicker is the second-highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. His other committee assignments include the Environment and Public Works Committee; and the Rules and Administration Committee.
Senator Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Prior to his service in the Senate, Mr. Wicker served in the United States House of Representatives and the Mississippi State Senate.
A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, the Senator received his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. Senator Wicker is married to the former Gayle Long of Tupelo. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
