Legislative Briefs June 4

Heck says he misspoke on Social Security

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada Congressman Joe Heck says calling Social Security a "pyramid scheme" that isn't working was a mistake.

A video of the Republican freshman House member's comment during a meeting with constituents last month was distributed to the media Friday by the Nevada Democratic party.

Heck didn't apologize when his comments met with disapproval from his audience.

Heck now says in a statement that he wants to protect Social Security, but the program's financial future must be taken seriously.

Heck was discussing the sustainability of continuing to pay benefits to people as they live longer.

He said that when Social Security was created in 1935 people didn't collect benefits for 15 years.

Heck is a frequent target of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee after defeating Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus in November.

GOP outnumber Democrats in Nevada CD2

(AP) - New voter registration numbers show Republicans retain a big edge over Democrats in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District where a special election is pending.

The secretary of state's office says the number of total active voters in the district fell by 4,625 voters in May from the previous month. Republicans outnumber Democrats by 30,490.

A special election is set for Sept. 13 to fill the House seat after Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed Rep. Dean Heller to the U.S. Senate, replacing John Ensign.

But a legal challenge over how the election will be held is pending with the Nevada Supreme Court, and justices have hinted they might seek a postponement to the election to allow more time to vet the arguments.