Reid Floats Extending Senate Session: ‘We Have A lot To Do’

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) floated the possibility that the Senate might stay in session beyond the two weeks remaining on the legislative calendar. 

Speaking on the Senate Floor the soon-to-be minority leader outlined the items remaining on the docket before the end of the year — including the must-pass government funding measure, tax extenders, defense authorization, and nominations — concluding that there may be a situation that requires lawmakers to stay in Washington beyond Dec. 12. 

“We may have to be here a third week and everyone should understand that,” Reid said, adding that the most important task at hand is to pass funding bills to keep the government open. 

He explained that there is the chance that the Senate might be in session the week of Dec. 15. 

“We have a lot to do, and there isn’t much time to accomplish it,” he said. “I urge all senators to work hard to complete our work in a timely and efficient fashion. We may have to be here the week before Christmas and hopefully, Mr. President, not into the Christmas holiday, but there are things we have to get done.”

Reid further called on the House to move on the Senate-passed comprehensive immigration reform bill and praised Obama for moving forward with his executive amnesty before the Thanksgiving recess. 

“These people now, instead of staying in the shadows, are having a good time,” Reid said. “Their holiday is not threatened to be ruined. All over America they are openly giving thanks for the blessings of family that they haven’t been able to enjoy in the past. Instead of looking over their shoulder, they joyously revel in the time they can spend with their loved ones. What president Obama did needed to be done.”