Heller supports American Latino museum

Weeks after calling off a meeting with Latino business leaders in Las Vegas, Republican Sen. Dean Heller is urging Congress to pay for a federal museum to honor Hispanic-American culture.

Heller's Senate office announced Tuesday that he has asked the House and Senate Appropriations committees to set aside money for a proposed Smithsonian American Latino Museum. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., also signed on as a co-sponsor of the measure last month.

Heller is running against Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley in 2012. Her Las Vegas district has the state's largest Hispanic population.

Heller was criticized by some Hispanic leaders after he canceled a meeting with the Latin Chamber of Commerce in October.