Heller named to policy seat in Western Caucus

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has been named policy chairman of the House Western Caucus.

He will hold the post through the next two years.

Heller said the Western Caucus deals with many issues impacting the state as some 85 percent of Nevada land is federally held.

"Whether we are fighting for public land access or fighting against destructive mining reform, it is essential for Western members of Congress to stand together and work for our common interests," he said.

The Western Caucus, established in 1992, consists of nearly 40 Republicans members of Congress. It is dedicated to fighting for balanced public lands access, private-property rights and responsible natural resource development.

Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop of Utah said as a lifelong Westerner, Heller's knowledge of how federal policies impact the lives of Americans in the West is vital to developing policies which protect those rights.