Reid will bail on Friday votes

In a rare Friday session, the Senate will do nothing. 

Votes on two nominees were scheduled to take place Friday, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is expected to postpone those votes at 4 p.m. tomorrow until after the two-week recess.

{mosads}On Thursday evening, Reid got unanimous consent to vote Friday on final confirmation of Michelle Friedland to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit and David Weil to be administrator of the Department of Labor’s wage and hour division. But now, he will move those votes to Monday, April 28, when the Senate is scheduled to return from Easter break.

Reid tried to hold the votes Thursday, but Republicans refused to yield back their debate time. Reid said Democrats would stay and finish work on the nominations without Republicans, since only a simple majority was needed, but it appears Democrats abandoned him as well.

When Republicans refused to allow the votes Thursday, Reid insisted it was important that the Senate approve the nominees this week, so it could focus on legislation to increase the federal minimum wage when it returns after recess.

Reid frequently threatens Friday and weekend work, but it rarely happens.