Senate leaders bicker on the floor over procedure

Reid, however, defended the closed process, citing the unrelated amendments offered by Republicans earlier in the week that threatened to derail the legislation, including one by McConnell that would have offered President Obama’s jobs package for a quick vote with little debate.

“The problem is that the minority leader offered the president’s jobs bill in a form that is not the president’s jobs bill,” Reid said.

Reid is now in a race against the clock to complete the pending legislation before Friday night when the Yom Kippur holiday begins. The majority leader, said, however, he hopes senators would be able to come to an agreement to complete the legislation before his 5:30 p.m. meeting at the White House on Thursday.