Heller named to five committees

Sen. Dean Heller’s new term comes with a full workload as he said today he’ll be sitting on five legislative committees.

The Nevada Republican newly sworn in for a full six-year term will join the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Committee on Veterans Affairs. He will return to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Special Committee on Aging.

On the banking committee, Heller fills a Republican opening created suddenly when Jim DeMint of South Carolina resigned the Senate to head the Heritage Foundation.

The Nevadan had been eyeing the banking committee as a field of interest after working as a stockbroker on the Pacific Stock Exchange early in his career and after serving for a short while on the House Financial Services Committee.

He said the banking assignment gives him a seat on foreclosure preventions still a major concern in Nevada. The veterans affairs committee reviews the workings of health and benefit programs for retiring servicemembers.

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee gives Heller a platform for rural and public land legislation and for energy issues growing in the West.

Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, does not sit on any committees but maintains a voice on legislation through an extensive staff and his power as leader.