The two top Senate leaders struck a conciliatory tone on Wednesday, the first day back for lawmakers after voters elected to flip the Senate majority from Democrat to Republican.
Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he has “no desire” to engage in obstructing in the new Congress when he switches roles with likely incoming Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Reid, in his first floor speech since losing his Democratic majority on Nov. 4, praised McConnell and said he is “ready to work with him in good faith,” to make the Senate operate more smoothly next year.
McConnell, in separate floor remarks, said he is optimistic “there’s a lot both parties can accomplish together over the next couple years.”
Both Reid and McConnell, however, took jabs at the opposite party.
Reid, without directly blaming the GOP, implied in his remarks that Republican obstruction in the Senate during the past two years was “debilitating to our system.”
Reid often blamed Republicans for failing to provide the 60 votes needed to move forward on Democratic and bipartisan bills. Republicans became increasingly likely to vote against legislation, even if they favored it, because Reid would not permit them to amend legislation.
The ongoing procedural fight led to near gridlock in the Senate.
Reid, who has served as majority leader since 2007, said he is prepared to compromise with McConnell in the new Congress.
“I’ve been minority leader before, and have been able to strike compromises with my Republican colleagues,” Reid said. “I’m ready to do it again.”
Reid said the Nov. 4 election results indicate “the American people want us to work together to get things done for the middle class.”
He pointed to several successful red-state ballot initiatives to raise the minimum wage.
Republicans have blocked Democratic legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.
McConnell warned President Obama not to use his executive authority to make significant changes in the nation’s deportation policies, calling such a move “a big mistake.”
McConnell also criticized the deal with China to reduce carbon emissions that the Obama administration announced late Tuesday night, saying the plan gives China “a free pass on emissions while hurting middle-class families and struggling miners here at home.”
Republicans have picked up eight seats held by Democrats, with a run-off election pending in Louisiana that currently favors the GOP candidate.
