Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Harry Reid promises to work in ‘good faith’ with new Republican majority

Harry Reid returns to Congress

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. arrives for work on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, as Congress returns for the lame duck session following a sweep for the GOP in the midterm elections that will shift the balance of power in Congress, giving Republicans control of the Senate as well as the House. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

In his first public speech since the Nov. 4 election that swept Republicans into power across the country, Sen. Harry Reid promised to work with the new U.S. Senate majority.

"Senate Democrats are ready to work in good faith win their Republican counterparts," said Reid in a speech opening the Senate on Congress' first day back since September.

The Senate majority leader will hand over power to Republicans in January. The party won at least eight new seats to give Republicans a slight 52-person majority in the next Congress. Reid is expected to stay in Democratic leadership as the Senate minority leader.

The Nevada Democrat appeared to try to make amends with Republicans, who have bitterly opposed Reid's tactics of closing down the amendment process to protect Democrats in a tough election cycle for the party.

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today," Reid said, quoting early-20th century celebrity Will Rogers.

Reid congratulated presumed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky. He said he hopes the two leaders can find compromises to help middle class Americans. He cited Democratic proposals such as equal pay for women, student loan debt relief and raising the national minimum wage as his wish list.

Reid has about four weeks left running the Senate. Here's five things on his to-do list.

"We have a lot of work to do and no time to longer on the past," Reid said.

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