HELP Ranking Member Enzi Will Seek Third Term in November
U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, the Wyoming Republican who is the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told constituents on Saturday that he will run for re-election this November, a well-regarded Washington, D.C. newspaper named The Hill reports. Enzi had not revealed his plans, leading to speculation that he might retire after two terms in the Senate, according to an article on the newspaper's www.thehill.com.
Enzi first was elected to the Senate in 1996 and chaired the HELP Committee for a time. The current chairman is Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who has worked with Enzi on some legislation, including a bill to bar genetic discrimination by health plans and health insurers that passed the full Senate recently on a 95-0 vote. The Hill's report indicates Enzi has sufficient money on hand to campaign in his large but sparsely populated state and should not be seriously threatened in his re-election bid.
Enzi announced a few weeks ago on his Web site that he had received an A grade from the National Taxpayers Union in its report card of work by members of Congress to reduce spending, taxes, debt, and regulations. NTU gave 260 members an F, Enzi noted. The grades were based on roll call votes during the current 110th Congress.