WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, is leading the charge against a concert, organized in part by former Vice President Al Gore, to raise awareness on the issue of global warming.

Inhofe is objecting to the use of the Capitol grounds for the July 7 event, called "Live Earth," which is part of a series of worldwide concerts.

A spokesman for Inhofe said the Oklahoma senator "objects to holding any events on the Capitol grounds that are either highly partisan or politically controversial -- and the proposed Gore concert is both."(Watch video: CNN's Carol Costello reports Inhofe vows to block Gore's effort to hold a concert at the Capitol)

The Interior Department originally told organizers the event could not be held on Capitol grounds, concerned about providing enough portable toilets in the venue.

Organizers then looked to Congress for help in securing the venue. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, raising security concerns, formally held up a vote on the matter last Friday.

Chad Griffin, a senior adviser to "Live Earth," responded, "It's unfortunate for the American people that we are being blocked from staging the U.S. concert in our nation's capital, the show must go on, even if it's in another city."

Inhofe, the former chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, once called global warming a "hoax perpetrated on the American people."