Senator Ensign was raised in northern Nevada and moved to southern Nevada where he graduated from Clark High School. He attended UNLV and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1985. Senator Ensign immediately began practicing veterinary medicine and opened the first 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas.

Throughout his career, Ensign has fought for smaller, more effective government; lower taxes; a strong national defense and aggressive approach to combating terrorists; increased parental control in education choices; and quality health care for Nevada's seniors and veterans.

Senator Ensign was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and serves on the following committees: Armed Services; Budget; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP); and Veterans Affairs. Ensign is Chairman of the Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee and of the Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation and Competitiveness of the Commerce Committee. In addition, Senator Ensign chairs the Republican High Tech Task Force and serves as Vice Chairman of the Republican Steering Committee, a group that shapes the party’s legislative agenda.

Since taking office, Senator Ensign has worked hard and fulfilled his promises to the people of Nevada. His Education High Growth Grant amendment, which brings tens of millions of extra dollars to Nevada schools, was included in the education bill signed into law by President Bush. The Prescription Discount Card for Seniors, a key part of Senator Ensign’s prescription drug plan, is now saving more than 4 million seniors 15 to 30% off the retail price of most brand name drugs and between 46 and 92% off generic drugs.

On the environmental front, the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, authored by then-Congressman Ensign, has provided almost $1.4 billion for Nevada’s general education fund; Clark County parks; facilities at Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and the Spring Mountains; and the purchase of environmentally sensitive land. The legislation was amended by Senator Ensign to include vital protection for Lake Tahoe by providing $300 million over the next eight years for water clarity, erosion control, and fire suppression to reverse the decline of Lake Tahoe's famous clarity. Senator Ensign’s commitment to the environment also resulted in the enactment of the Ensign/Reid Clark County Lands Bill which protects environmentally sensitive areas in southern Nevada, allows recreational opportunities to continue, and improves the quality of life for all citizens.

From his post on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Ensign led the fight to build a Veterans Hospital in southern Nevada to provide quality health care for the brave men and women who proudly served this nation. Construction is expected to begin in 2006.

Senator Ensign has been recognized by many local and national groups for his work. He is the recipient of the 2004 Jacob K. Javits Award for his efforts and action on behalf of Americans with disabilities and the 2005 Educational Pioneer Award for his vision and contributions to the disadvantaged student population of Nevada . He was also named the top lawmaker in 2004 by the Humane Society of the United States for his commitment to the humane treatment of animals.

Senator Ensign spends his workweek in Washington and his weekends in Las Vegas with his wife, Darlene, and their three children—Trevor, Siena, and Michael.