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Heller assigned to influential Finance Committee

WASHINGTON – Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., on Monday was named to the influential Senate Finance Committee, a panel with broad authority over taxes, trade, health care and the major federal human services programs.

The Finance Committee is considered by many a plum assignment whose members handle legislation on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as well as the tax code and trade agreements.

Heller lobbied Republican leaders for the seat as a consolation after failing to win election to become chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee that manages GOP fundraising and election strategy. He will be one of 14 Republicans on the committee when it convenes in the new Congress in January; 12 Democrats were named on Friday.

In adding the Finance Committee, Heller dropped off the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he had been active on public lands, nuclear waste and renewable energy issues relevant to Nevada.

Otherwise, Heller will keep his assignments on Commerce, Science, & Transportation; Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs; Veterans’ Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging.

Besides giving its members a strong voice on major legislation, the Senate Finance Committee also exposes them to a lot of potential campaign donors, according to congressional watchdogs.

“Decisions by Senate Finance Committee members affect a lot of companies’ bottom lines,” according to the Center for Responsive Politics. “Winning a seat on the Senate tax-writing committee guarantees members that they will attract generous donations from banks, insurance companies, real estate agents, accountants, and securities and investment firms.”

Heller said in a statement the mix of assignments gives him influence on a range of issues affecting Nevada, including Social Security and Medicare, veterans health care and benefits, foreclosure assistance for homeowners and development of Interstate 11.

“Each of these committees provides an avenue for me to best serve the people of Nevada,” Heller said.

Contact Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC.

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