The Political Gift That Keeps on Giving

With apologies to Theodore Geisel, Harry Reid is here

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) backed funding for a bridge between Nevada and Arizona that could affect the value of property he owns nearby. Development is booming in the area and local officials in Laughlin and Bullhead City support a new crossing to ease traffic on the one existing bridge. They also expect it would add to property values.

Reid and other incoming Democratic leaders have promised to bring more openness to the practice of earmarking, where lawmakers insert funding for pet projects into legislation with little scrutiny.

Harry Reid is there

As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was one of the members of Congress Abramoff had allegedly implicated in his cooperation with federal prosecutors.

A source close to the investigation says Abramoff told prosecutors that more than $30,000 in campaign contributions to Reid from Abramoff's clients "were no accident and were in fact requested by Reid." Aramoff has reportedly claimed the Nevada senator agreed to help him on matters related to Indian gambling. he AP also reported that Abramoff's billing records showed extensive contact with Reid's
office over a three-year period in which Reid collected more than $68,000 from Abramoff's firm, partners and clients.

Harry Reid is everywhere

"He and I just like each other, and I think we set a good example here in the Senate," Majority Leader-elect Harry Reid said of colleague John Ensign. I wish other people had the same nonaggression pact we have," Reid told reporters. "It's not a 'Brokeback Mountain' situation," he added, referring to last year's film about two gay cowboy lovers.