Senator's Nephew Dies In Iraq

A nephew of Sen. Max Baucus was killed in combat in Iraq during the weekend, the senator's office said Tuesday.

Marine Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28, died Saturday in the province of Al Anbar, the Department of Defense said Tuesday. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

A spokesman for Baucus confirmed that the serviceman, who lived in the Helena area, was the Montana Democrat's nephew.

In a statement, Baucus said the family was "devastated by the loss."

"Phillip was an incredible person, a dedicated Marine, a loving son and husband, and a proud Montanan and American," the senator said. "He heroically served the country he loved and he gave it his all."

Speaking on the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said that he received a "troubling" call from Sen. Baucus this morning, who indicated "that he wouldn't be here this week."

Reid emphasized that Sen. Baucus "comes from a very, very close-knit family" and his "nephew, a boy by the name of Phillip, is like a son to [him]."