The Senate Republican Conference on Wednesday confirmed Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) as the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The panel deals with many issues pertinent to long-term care providers as part of its mission. It is charged with oversight and investigation of programs and issues related to older Americans.

Smith said he plans to purse an agenda focused on protecting seniors against fraud and abuse, conducting oversight of federal programs and agencies and offering a forum to debate issues.

He said Thursday that Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan will offer testimony on Social Security before the Aging Committee the week of March 7.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist appointed Smith in late December to chair the Special Committee on Aging during this Congress. Smith replaces Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who stepped down from the position to seek the chairmanship of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.