Hoeven would get spending, energy committee posts -- McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in North Dakota Monday that state Gov. John Hoeven (R) will serve on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee if elected, according to a news account.

McConnell made the comment at a campaign kick-off in Fargo for Hoeven, the popular three-term governor who is running to replace retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), according to a story on the website of Grand Forks Herald and other newspapers owned by Forum Communications Co.

“We want to ensure he is a leader in the Senate on his first day. His experience and knowledge in fostering economic growth and responsible energy development will be invaluable as we work to get our country back on track," McConnell said.

Dorgan is a senior member of both committees, giving him a prominent voice on spending and energy policy decisions important to the state, which is heavily reliant on coal and has ample reserves as well. The state also has major wind power potential.