Reid: Adjournment up to GOP

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Wednesday the Senate’s adjournment is up to the GOP. 

Reid wants the Senate to approve a two-year budget deal and a defense bill, and also wants to clear a host of President Obama’s nominees. 

{mosads}Republicans, upset that Democrats gutted filibuster rights in the Senate, say they’ll drag out the process of confirming nominees, something Reid said could lead to weekend work.

“Republicans may also force us to work through the weekend. That would be unfortunate, but if it happens, it happens,” Reid said Wednesday on the Senate floor. “How long will it take the Senate to complete its job — that’s up to Republicans.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has criticizes Reid’s threat to keep the Senate in session through Christmas Eve, saying the nominees Reid has filed cloture on are “non-essential.”

Reid shot back Wednesday, questioning why McConnell doesn’t think posts within the military and Department of Homeland Security are essential.

“’Non-essential’? … I think that’s wrong,” Reid said. “Does the Republican leader think the head of the Air Force isn’t essential?”

Reid frequently threatens weekend work and it’s not clear whether he’ll stick to his guns this time. It’s also not clear if the parties will compromise, allowing senators in both parties to start their holiday breaks. 

Reid showed some frustration on Wednesday when he refused to take a question from Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).

Vitter asked Reid to yield for a question, but Reid instead asked the chair to note the absence of a quorum before leaving the floor.

Vitter said he wanted to ask Reid why he has allowed some of his leadership staff to be exempt from having to enter the ObamaCare health exchange.