LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Republican Sen. John Ensign is defending his silence since admitting last month to an extramarital affair with a former campaign aide.

In a statement issued late Friday, Ensign said potential investigations by the Federal Election Commission and Senate Ethics Committee make public comment on the affair inadvisable.

He said he's confident the investigations will answer questions and clear him of any wrongdoing.

Ensign says he feels "very sorry" the affair has caused a "great deal of pain" for his family and former campaign staffer Cindy Hampton and her husband, Doug.

But he says he remains committed to serving Nevada in the Senate.

Ensign resigned his position as head of the Republican Policy Committee one day after acknowledging an affair between December 2007 and August 2008 with Cindy Hampton.

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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com

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