SENATORS HARRY REID AND MITCH McCONNELL
Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today about Republican obstructionism in the Senate. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Over the last week, I’ve listened to my Republican colleagues come to the Senate floor to lament how little the Senate has accomplished during the 112th Congress.
I share that concern.
In fact, it’s a wonder we’ve gotten anything done at all, considering the lack of cooperation Democrats have gotten from our Republican colleagues.
I’ve said it before, but this bears repeating. In my time as Majority Leader, I have faced 382 Republican filibusters.
That’s 381 more filibusters than Lyndon Johnson faced during his six years as Majority Leader.
Time and again, my Republican colleagues have stalled or blocked perfectly good pieces of legislation to score points with the Tea Party – and they’ve hurt middle-class Americans in the process.
Even the most noncontroversial, consensus matters – items that would have passed by unanimous consent in the past – Republicans have obstructed or delayed.
Related articles
- Reid to lay out plans for filibuster reform (thehill.com)
- Filibuster reform happens tomorrow, or not (dailykos.com)
- Reid seeks middle path on filibuster (politico.com)
- Morning Bell: Will the Senate Minority Be Silenced? (heritage.org)
- McCain, Levin propose curbing filibusters (rep-am.com)
