Reid on schedule: No Christmas work

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Saturday said Democrats plan to move forward next week on several votes including the DREAM act to establish U.S. citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.

Speaking midway through a rare Saturday morning session on tax-cut votes, Reid said he will file procedural motions on Monday to set up cloture votes on Wednesday for an impeachment proceeding against a judge and various other procedural motions including the DREAM Act. Reid said he made the decision based on agreements with GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

Reid said after Wednesday, he is hopeful that an agreement between the White House and congressional leaders will be in place regarding the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, as well as a continuing resolution to keep funding the government. Reid said he also hoped to squeeze in votes on the START arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia, as well as a defense authorization measure that includes a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding gays in the military.

Alluding to last year’s Christmas Eve votes on the healthcare reform bill, Reid said he planned to adjourn the chamber on Friday, Dec. 17, for Christmas recess.

“We all know where we were last year on Christmas Eve,” Reid said. “We don’t want to be in the same place this Christmas Eve.”