Reid lands spot on defense panel

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

Nevada's congressional delegation announced committee assignments today that link the state's interests to larger national and international issues.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate, said he has been appointed to the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.

"Nevada has a long tradition of contributing to our nation's national security," Reid said, noting that the subcommittee assignment can affect Nellis Air Force Base and Fallon Naval Air Station, Hawthorne Army Depot and the National Guard.

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Department of Defense, including all branches of the armed forces, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Security Agency. The subcommittee oversees budgets of more than $260 billion.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has a seat on the Senate Commerce, Banking, Aging and Small Business committees, a spokesman said.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has a new assignment as a member of the House International Relations Committee.

"It's important for Nevadans to have a voice in foreign policy," Berkley said today.

Major issues worldwide that Berkley said she plans to focus on include the Middle East, Asia, Cuba, Armenia and the tensions between India and Pakistan. Greece and Cypress as well as Latin America are also catching her attention, Berkley said.

In addition to her new assignment, Berkley is seated on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Veterans Affairs committees.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., serves on the House Armed Services, Resources, Permanent Select Intelligence and Veterans Affairs committees.

On the resources panel he is focused on the proposed nuclear waste disposal site, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The congressman said he is "vehemently" opposed to bringing nuclear waste to Nevada.

The issue of keeping high-level nuclear waste out of Nevada unites the state's congressional members from both sides of the aisle.