WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Permian Basin's newest congressional representative-to-be is already whipping up attention inside the Beltway.

U.S. Rep.-elect Mike Conaway, R-Midland, was named assistant majority whip Friday by House Majority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri. Conaway will be Blunt's assistant for the 109th Congress, which convenes in January.

"Mike will be an excellent assistant whip, and I am pleased that he has agreed to do this very important job," Blunt said in a news release.

The majority whip works to gather votes for bills favored by the party in power and is the third-ranking member of the House of Representatives.

"I'm excited about the opportunity," Conaway said. "It's a chance to work even closer with the leadership than you would otherwise."

Conaway said the position would give him more weight in House affairs.

"To be influential, being amongst the leadership is how you get things done," he said. "You have a stronger voice when you're in a leadership position. If you're going to be a leader in Congress, being on the whip team is a great first step."

Conaway said his appointment ultimately means stronger representation for his district.

"It means that I'll have a chance to prove some of my talents and background that they elected me for," he said.