Republican Louisiana Senator David Vitter says he has been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The assignment sets him in the middle of what likely will become major disagreements in the next Congress.
Those include fights over President Obama's nominee for the attorney general, and the president's immigration plan to help those living in the United States illegally.
When Congress returns from the winter break in January, Vitter will be enjoying an elevated position as a member of the GOP. His party took control of the Senate in the November mid-term elections.
Vitter has promised to use his position on the Judiciary Committee to launch attacks on the Obama administration's agenda.
