Reid Outlines Busy Summer In Senate

By Daniel W. Reilly

(The Politico)  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid outlined an ambitious laundry list of bills he hopes to complete before the August recess on Monday, hoping to put months of gridlock behind him and clear the decks before leaving town for the summer.

In what could be wishful thinking in such a closely divided chamber, Reid said the Senate needs to finish work on a housing reform bill, a Medicare bill and an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, all of which could move as early as this week.

Reid also said the chamber must also take up legislation to address high gas prices, a bill to provide funding for international AIDS relief, a package of energy tax extenders, a media shield law and work on both the Department of Defense authorization and appropriations bills.

“This is not a list of Democratic priorities or pet issues,” said Reid. “It is not a platform for the 2008 campaign. These are the critical priorities of the American people.”

However, given the gridlock that has ensnared the Senate for much of the year, Reid acknowledged that finishing his to-do list could be a tall order.

“The next several weeks could be easy, or they could be difficult,” said Reid. “If Republicans are willing, we could pass this legislation swiftly and with overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans.”

Although the Senate is not set to formally recess until August 8, Reid said he has “no problem” taking the first weekend of August off if the Senate can complete its work in a timely fashion.
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