Reid Attributes Democrats' Backlogged Agenda To GOP Obstruction

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Monday attributed his party’s lengthy lame duck session agenda to Republicans’ refusal to move forward on key pieces of legislation.

“It didn’t have to be this way. We’ve tried many times this Congress to tackle each of the priorities on our agenda.  Each time we’ve tried, the minority has tried to shut down the Senate,” Reid said from the Senate floor. “Republicans ground the Senate to a halt and forced endless hours of inactivity.  That’s why we were here voting on Saturday.  That’s why we’ll still be here another few weeks.”

Reid cited the Defense Authorization Act, the START Treaty,  the DREAM Act and a bill benefiting 9/11 first responders as several legislative items that have been pushed to the backburner in the face GOP resistance.

“None of the issues on this long list is new,” Reid added. “Neither is the minority’s effort to keep the Senate from working and keep Senators from doing our jobs.”

Reid added that he hoped Republicans would have a change of heart in the final weeks of 2010 and ultimately cooperate with Democrats.