Ensign appointed to Senate Armed Services Committee

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002 | 9:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- When the new session of Congress begins next month with an anticipated focus on a possible war with Iraq, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., will have a front row seat for the discussion.

Ensign has been appointed to the Armed Services Committee. He also sits on the Senate Commerce Committee and is angling for one more spot, on the Budget Committee. If he gets that post, he likely will give up his seats on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Special Aging Committee. The Senate Republican Conference is expected to finalize assignments in the next week or two.

Armed Services has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues that affect the military branches. It also oversees military research and development, nuclear weapons policy, and space weapons proposals.

"Our nation's military is at a critical juncture today," Ensign said. "With the ongoing reality of terrorism and regional instability around the world, there is an incredible amount of pressure on our troops, our weapons systems and our installations."

Ensign said the new post gives him a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada National Guard, and the committee also has some jurisdiction over the Nevada Test Site.

The Armed Services panel's jurisdiction does not include setting budgets for the Defense Department -- most military money matters are decided in the Appropriations Committee. But the Armed Services Committee has some jurisdiction over military pay and benefits issues. Ensign said he would work to assure that soldiers, sailors and airmen "have the quality of life they deserve."