Politics | Congress Ensign Quits Senate GOP Leadership Post Resigns as chair of Policy Committee after admitting affair By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jun 17, 2009 12:20 PM CDT Copied U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., speaks to local residents during a stop at a local ice cream parlor, Monday, June 1, 2009, in Le Mars, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Sen. John Ensign has stepped down from his leadership post a day after admitting an affair with a woman who was on his campaign staff. He conveyed his decision in a phone call with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said he had accepted the resignation. Ensign was chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking spot in the leadership. Read These Next "Admiral Piett" of the Star Wars universe died from COVID. Trump voter who supported mass deportations could be deported herself. Shooter opens fire on Texas Border Patrol Rescuer in floods gets a poignant question. Report an error