Reid Knocks McConnell for Opposing Stimulus

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) criticized Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for not supporting a Democratic-sponsored economic stimulus bill and called on the Republican leader to cooperate with Democrats during next week’s lame-duck session.

In a publicly released letter to McConnell, Reid said if the GOP continues to oppose Democratic ideas to boost the economy, he will push for unemployment benefits and loans to the U.S. auto industry, which would put Republicans into a politically difficult position.

“The adoption of a robust recovery package should be the top priority of the upcoming lame duck session,” Reid wrote McConnell. “Based on our conversation earlier this week, however, I understand that you currently oppose such a package and that Senate Republicans are prepared and able to block such legislation. This is disappointing and I hope you will reconsider.”

Reid added: “Unless I hear from you to the contrary, I plan to press forward with two provisions of that package – an extension of unemployment benefits, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 368-28 and legislation to protect the millions of workers at risk from the possible collapse of our domestic auto industry. These two provisions both address especially urgent needs and seem most likely to win your support and the support of your caucus.”

–J. Taylor Rushing