Heller gets coveted Ways and Means assignment

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dean Heller today was named to the House Ways and Means Committee for the new Congress, landing the Nevada Republican a seat on the powerful panel that handles taxes, trade and Social Security issues.

Heller was among six new Republican members named to the committee, whose GOP membership was decimated last year through retirements and election defeats. The committee makeup for the new Congress will be 15 Republicans and 26 Democrats.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., also sits on Ways and Means. Heller effectively inherits the Republican seat that was held by Jon Porter of Nevada, who was defeated.

Ways and Means is considered one of the most coveted assignments in Congress. It is the committee that initiates all revenue bills, and also manages legislation dealing with federal health insurance programs, Social Security and trade matters.

Heller's assignment was announced by Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., the committee's top-ranking Republican. Other new Republicans on the committee include Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, Geoff Davis of Kentucky, Dave Reichert of Washington, Charles Boustany of Louisiana and Peter Roskam of Illinois.