Reid Telegraphs Busy Summer
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday once again laid out an ambitious summer schedule for his chamber, saying Senators will spend next month debating health care reform, a Supreme Court nomination and a handful of appropriations bills.“The month of July, we’re going to work real hard,— Reid warned.The House is poised to pass its climate change bill Friday. Reid said he would wait until the House acts before laying out a timetable for the Senate to take up a similar measure.Still, Reid declared that by “this fall, we’re going to have a bill in the Senate, and we’re going to vote on it.—The Majority Leader, in a session with reporters, hailed the Senate’s legislative accomplishments so far this year and decried Republican-led opposition to a host of executive nominations. He noted that because Democrats do not have a filibuster-proof, 60-seat majority, his Conference will need a handful of Republicans to move legislation.“Each of these bills [we hope to pass] , we need Republicans, and that applies to health care,— Reid said, adding that “four of five— GOP members of the Finance Committee are currently engaged in bipartisan negotiations to craft a reform bill that will pass muster.