Reid: Congress should move beyond ‘cliffhanger fights’

Ahead of a government funding deadline, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the first job of Congress is to “do no harm.”

“When it comes to our economy, the first thing Congress should do is do no harm. In six days, the government will shut down if Congress does not pass a funding bill,” Reid said Friday. “I hope that the House will soon send us a clean funding bill that keeps the government open.”

{mosads}Lawmakers are expected to reveal the funding measure that will keep the government funded after Dec. 11 as early as Monday. Reid said he is “encouraged” by his conversations with Republican leaders that the measure will pass both chambers.

Reid’s comments came as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 321,000 jobs, holding the unemployment rate to 5.8 percent.

“Looking ahead to next year, this report shows how important it is that we avoid tripping up our economy and move past the cliffhanger fights and shutdown threats of recent years,” Reid said.

Reid said the report was strong but showed more work needed to be done to help support the middle class.

“Democrats stand ready to empower the middle class and make sure they see the rewards they deserve from their hard work,” Reid said. “If Republicans will meet us on this common ground instead of seeking to give more breaks to those who are already wealthy and powerful, there is much we can accomplish together.”

Republicans will control the Senate next year after Democrats lost several seats in the midterm elections.