Senate Job for Lott’s Aide

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott has selected fellow Mississippian Susan Wells to become secretary of the Senate when the new Congress convenes in January.

The secretary of the Senate oversees the chamber’s day-to-day operations, including its payroll and clerks, and is among several top jobs directly controlled by the majority leader.

The Senate is expected to give Wells formal approval for the job Jan. 7, when the 108th Congress holds its first session.

Wells began working for the Republican Lott in 1974, when he was in the House, and has been among his top Senate aides for years.

She succeeds Jeri Thomson, who was secretary of the Senate since July 2001, shortly after Democrats took control of the chamber.

Lott also announced that he has chosen Robert Maxwell, a former Mississippi police officer and Justice Department official, to be Senate sergeant-at-arms, the chamber’s top security post.

Lott will retain Alan Frumin as Senate parliamentarian.

Frumin, parliamentarian from 1987 to 1995 when Democrats ran the Senate, was named to the job again in May 2001 by Lott. Frumin succeeded Robert Dove, who was fired after Republicans disagreed with some of his rulings on budget legislation.

David Schiappa, who has been secretary for the minority, will continue as secretary for the majority in January, Lott said.