WASHINGTON - House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) today announced his selection of Texas Congressman-elect Mike Conaway to be an Assistant Whip for the 109th Congress, which commences in January.

Assistant Whips are responsible for helping the Majority Whip and the Chief Deputy Majority Whip find the votes necessary to pass critical legislation.

"Mike will be an excellent Assistant Whip, and I am pleased that he has agreed to do this very important job," Blunt said. "I look forward to working with him every day to move the Republican agenda forward in the House."

"This is a tremendous honor and a great responsibility that House Majority Whip Roy Blunt has entrusted me with," said Conaway. "I look forward to helping the House Republican Leadership lead the effort to continue to advance Republican ideals and promote our conservative agenda."

"Mike and I and the rest of our team have a lot of hard work ahead of us as the House addresses an aggressive legislative agenda. I am confident that we'll have a good year and continue getting the work done that the American people have sent us here to do," Blunt continued.

"Mike Conaway's new role will give Texas' Eleventh District an even bigger voice in the decision-making process in the House," Blunt said. "This is a real win for Texas."

Blunt was first elected to Congress in 1996 and was elected Majority Whip for the first time in 2002. The Majority Whip is the third-ranking member of the House leadership, behind the Speaker and the Majority Leader. Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor serves as the Chief Deputy Majority Whip.