Weekly Update from Senator John Ensign
January 21 - January 27, 2008: Appointed to Rules Committee, Introduced the Child Custody Protection Act, and Opposed to Attempt to Revive Yucca Mountain

Appointed to Rules Committee
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell officially announced my appointment to the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration this week. This committee exercises broad jurisdiction over the vast operations of the United States Senate, including the areas of federal elections and campaign finance. I am excited about the opportunities I will have as a member of this committee to continue advocating for integrity in the election process.

ENSIGN SELECTED TO SERVE ON RULES COMMITTEE

Introduced the Child Custody Protection Act
This week I introduced legislation to further protect the lives of our children and ensure that parents remain involved in life-altering decisions. The Child Custody Protection Act would make it a federal offense to knowingly transport minors across state lines to obtain an abortion when the law in their home state requires parental notification of one or both parents prior to the procedure. In most schools a child cannot go on a field trip without a signed permission slip nor can a child receive pain medication, such as aspirin, unless a parent signs a release form. Nothing, however, prevents this same child from being taken across state lines, in direct disobedience of state laws, for the purpose of an abortion. My legislation will protect our children by preventing this from taking place.

Opposed to Attempt to Revive Yucca Mountain
This week Senator Reid and I spoke out in opposition to the introduction of a bill in the Senate that would speed up the licensing process to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Yucca Mountain is the wrong policy for America. Its foundation is based on flawed science and poor management. Knowing that Yucca Mountain will never be built, Senator Reid and I have introduced legislation that would require on-site waste storage and federal government responsibility for this waste and its management. Yucca Mountain is not an option for this country, and it is time to recognize this and move in another direction.

Sincerely, John Ensign United States Senator