Reid Defends Decision To Go First

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid defended his decision to take up the bailout bill on Wednesday, arguing that he still believes the package will pass the House.

Reid decided Tuesday night to take up the bailout and to add a set of popular tax breaks to the measure, a move that some fear will jeopardize Democratic votes in the House.

“I would not have moved forward on this if I didn’t think the chances in the House were good,” Reid said to reporters.

Reid pushed back from accusations that he was trying to “jam” the House, saying he was just trying to get the bailout passed any way he can.

“My job is not to get this passed in the House,” Reid said. “My job is to get this passed in the Senate. We don’t have a lot of time.”