Reid wants GOP to ‘get off the government-bashing program,’ create jobs

Reid was promoting the Small Business Administration funding bill pending on the floor as the third major piece of legislation Democrats are pushing this year in the name of job creation.

The legislation survived a preliminary vote, 84-12, on Monday, but several Republican senators indicated they voted for it as a way to attack it with amendments.

Reid said Monday he hopes senators would not offer amendments that aren’t germane to the underlying bill.

“We hope people will improve this legislation and not detract from this legislation,” said Reid. “We would really like to complete this legislation this week.”

Reid noted that the Senate’s schedule is rapidly filling as the House is expected to send a three-week government funding measure to the Senate later Tuesday night. 

In other business Tuesday, the Senate will hear the maiden speeches of Republican Sens. Dan Coats (Ind.) and Rob Portman (Ohio) beginning at 2:15 p.m.