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.