Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada is trying to distance himself from fellow Republican Mitt Romney's comments that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on the government and will vote for President Barack Obama no matter what.
Heller spoke Wednesday as Democrats tried to tie him and other Republicans to Romney's comments. Heller's Democratic challenger, Rep. Shelley Berkley, says Romney and Heller read from the same script when it comes to the middle class.
Heller and Berkley are in a tight race that will help determine which party takes control of the Senate.
Heller points out that his mom was a school cafeteria cook. He says he believes the federal government has certain responsibilities, including providing a safety net for people who need help.
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