John Ensign

John Eric Ensign (born 25 March 1958) is the junior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since January 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

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Early life, education, and early career

Ensign was born in Roseville, California to Sharon Lee Cipriani and a father whose surname was "Mueller"; his maternal grandfather was of Italian descent.^[1] Ensign's family moved to Nevada when he was a child. His mother remarried Michael S. Ensign, a gaming industry executive who subsequently became chairman of the board of directors of Mandalay Bay,^[2] and who adopted John.

Ensign went to UNLV, becoming a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Oregon State University, and Colorado State University, becoming a veterinarian in 1985. He then became a successful businessman, opening a 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas.

Political career

House of Representatives

In 1994, Ensign won the Republican nomination for Nevada's 1st congressional district, based in Las Vegas. He was far behind four-term Democratic incumbent, James Bilbray, for most of the campaign. However, Ensign gained considerable momentum after reports surfaced that a Bilbray aide stood to make a huge profit from lands legislation sponsored by Bilbray. [1] Ensign won by 1,400 votes. He was reelected in 1996 by seven points, even as Bill Clinton carried the district by a large margin.

U.S. Senate

In 1998, Ensign ran for the Senate but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent, Harry Reid, by only 428 votes.^[3]

Ensign won a Senate seat on his second try in 2000, defeating Democratic opponent Ed Bernstein by a 55%-40% margin,^[4] to succeed the retiring Democratic incumbent, Richard H. Bryan.

Ensign and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada have developed a fairly good relationship, despite their bruising 1998 contest. They frequently work together on Nevada issues.

Actions in the U.S. Senate

Obstructed legislation that requires fundraising reports

On September 27, 2007, the members of the Senate discovered that Senator Ensign had been using the “secret hold” power (the power of a lawmaker to anonymously block a bill from reaching a floor vote without stating rhyme or reason or identity) to obstruct bills slated to require senators to file fund-raising reports electronically, as House and presidential candidates long have done, rather than obscure their benefactors in paper intensive filings. ^[5]

Blocked nomination of Vice Admiral Allen

For a short time in March 2006, Ensign blocked the nomination of Vice Admiral Thad Allen to become the next Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Allen was the principal federal official responsible for handling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, replacing FEMA director Mike Brown.^[6]

Elected Chairman of NRSC

Ensign was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). As chairman of the NRSC, Ensign is to be charged with assembling a staff to win back the U.S. Senate for Republicans in the 2008 elections. Ensign has chosen Mike Slanker and Lindsey Slanker of Nevada based political consulting firm November Inc. to be the Political Director and Finance Director of the NRSC.

Called for resignation of Larry Craig

On August 30th, 2007, Ensign called for the resignation of Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) after allegations of his solicitation in a men's bathroom.

Committee assignments

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Innovation (Ranking Republican Member)
  • Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
  • Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Opinions and beliefs

Opposes abortion

Ensign considers himself "pro-life." He has a "0" rating from the National Abortion Rights Action League.^[7]

Ensign authored legislation that makes it illegal for family members to transport teens across state lines to receive an abortion.^[8] Several law professors, including Professor John Harrison of University Virginia School of Law and Professor Peter Rubin of Georgetown University Law Center believe this legislation to be unconstitutional because, among other things, the law essentially treats human beings as interstate commerce.^[9]

Ensign opposed the Prevention First Act because it included programs that would broaden women's access to birth control. The Prevention First Act was co-authored by Harry Reid, the senior senator from Nevada, who also considers himself "pro-life."^[10]

64% of Ensign's constituents in Nevada identify themselves as "pro-choice."^[11]

Supports animal rights

Along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Senator Ensign was a lead sponsor of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which makes it a felony to transport animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting. According to a press release from Ensign's office, "Fifty states currently have laws against dogfighting and forty-nine have laws against cockfighting. This bill complements these state laws."^[12]

Supports Iraq War

Ensign has been a strong supporter of the U.S. effort in Iraq. In May 2006, speaking before the Nevada Republican Convention, Ensign said "Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy — let me tell you, I say this without reservation — they have hurt our military, they have emboldened the enemy." Ensign also said that the failure of citizens to continue supporting the war was a reflection of an "instant gratification culture" in the U.S.^[13] In March at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Pahrump, he had made similar if less-publicized comments, saying "Every time Ted Kennedy gets up and speaks (against the war) he undermines our troops."^[14]

Opposes eminent domain

Ensign has become a leading voice against the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court ruling, and has announced plans to introduce a bill that would strongly blunt the effects of the ruling.

2006 re-election campaign

Main article: Nevada U.S. Senate election, 2006

Ensign faced Democrat Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, in the November general election. Both he and Carter won over token opposition in the 15 August 2006 primary. Senator Ensign defeated Carter in the general election held on 7 November 2006 by a 55% to 41% margin. [2]

Personal

Ensign has been spending his workweek in Washington and his weekends in Las Vegas with his wife, Darlene, and their three children, Trevor, Siena, and Michael.^{[citation needed]}

Ensign is a member of the Pentecostal International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and is the only Pentecostal in the Senate. He attends a Foursquare church in northwest Las Vegas.^[15] In April 2003, the Associated Press reported that Ensign was one of six Congressmen living in a Capitol Hill townhouse subsidized by The Family, a secretive religious organization.^[16]

Electoral history

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• New York Times — John Ensign News collected news and commentary
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — John Ensign profile
• National Republican Senatorial Committee Official NRSC Site
• Nevada 2006 Election Results

Mike Slanker, Ensign's NSRC financial director

• Daily Kos
• LasVegasGleaner.com
• Campaign Money