Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid (NV) Speaks at ACCF Forum

ACCF Capital Formation Forum
April 2004

Democratic Whip Harry Reid Laments Senate Inaction

"It’s just not a productive time,” Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid acknowledged April 7 at an American Council for Capital Formation forum.

Despite the fact that the presidential election is still six months away, partisan positioning is having an immediate and significant impact on the Senate.

“It’s just foolish” Sen. Reid said, criticizing the legislative maneuvering that has resulted in multiple and redundant votes on some issues, while prohibiting important votes on others. So much time has been lost that the Senate is now unlikely to complete all of its appropriations duties.

Just one of the many legislative priorities that has fallen prey to partisan posturing is the energy bill.

“We need another energy bill if for no other reason than to prevent another blackout. [But instead of an energy bill] what we have is a dogfight between [Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete] Domenici (R-NM) and [Ranking Member Jeff ] Bingaman (D-NM).”

Despite the impasse over many issues, Sen. Reid correctly predicted that a pension bill would soon pass. The Senate approved the conference report for the “Pension Stability Act,” H.R. 3108, the next day.

Sen. Reid also revealed that new inter-party relationships have been forged, which could limit the level of partisan rancor in the future. “One of the pleasant things that has happened this year is the relationship I have developed with [Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman] Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK). If you asked me six months ago would I have this relationship with Sen. Inhofe, I would have said no way.”

Senator Reid is hopeful the bipartisan spirit that has allowed for a fruitful dialogue with Sen. Inhofe will filter through the ranks of his Democratic and Republican colleagues in both houses of Congress.

“[Democrats] need to be more interactive with the business community; likewise I would encourage my Republican colleagues to meet more often with organized labor and environmental groups,” Sen. Reid said.

Sen. Reid marvels at the business community’s support for President Bush, given the current economic turmoil compared to the strength of the U.S. economy in the 1990s. “I do not understand why the vast majority of the business community is afraid of a Democratic president. Maybe it is the minimum wage issue,” Sen. Reid said.

Ultimately Sen. Reid believes recent rhetoric regarding “fixing” the U.S. economy is misguided. He also believes that sound economic principles should shape the policies of both parties.

“There are no magical solutions to these economic problems. The world economy is in transition. There are some things we can do with tax and energy policies and of course there has to be a level trade playing field,” Sen. Reid said, adding “capital has to go where it can do the most with the least.”