U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) received appointments to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Ethics for the 107th Congress from the Democratic Steering and Coordination Committee. The Democratic Caucus must ratify all committee assignments later this month. Senator Akaka retains his seats on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Committee on Governmental Affairs (GAC), Committee on Indian Affairs, and Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He remains Ranking Democrat on the GAC Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services and the Energy Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation, and Recreation. Subcommittee assignments for the Armed Services Committee will be made in the next few weeks. Senator Akaka's first course of business as a member of Armed Services was to participate in today's confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense-designate Donald Rumsfeld.
"The Defense Department has a considerable impact on the economy of our state," Akaka noted. "Hawaii is home to military installations from every branch of our Armed Services. We have traditionally enjoyed an excellent relationship with the military, and I look forward to continuing to work with the DOD in fostering these relationships to meet our nation's security interests in the Pacific and around the world."
The Senate Select Committee on Ethics is responsible for the issuance of interpretive rulings and regulations necessary to implement the Senate Code of Official Conduct. The six-member committee is equally divided between members of the majority party and minority party. The Select Committee receives complaints and investigates allegations of improper conduct which may reflect on the Senate, violations of law, violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct, and violations of the Senate's rules and regulations by Members of the Senate, or officers or employees of the Senate.
"Service on the Select Committee on Ethics is not a sought-after assignment," commented Akaka. "The committee's regulatory and enforcement responsibilities can be burdensome. I respect the confidence my colleagues place in my judgment and fairness in asking me to assume this post."
