Reid calls GOP filibuster ‘anti-American’

WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans on Wednesday finally agreed to debate a Wall Street reform bill, but not before a frustrated Majority Leader Harry Reid charged that an ongoing GOP filibuster was "anti-American."

After a holdup of more than two days, Reid, D-Nev., protested that GOP senators "keep stalling, keep stalling," and they wanted to "nitpick" at the bill even before it was brought up for debate and amendment.

"All the talk of the Republicans about wanting to do something about this bill before it gets on the floor is really anti-Senate and anti-American," Reid said at a press conference.

Reid spokesman Jim Manley said it "was probably a poor choice of words" to say that Republicans were anti-American.

But Manley said the "American people elected them to legislate -- not to filibuster everything and prevent us from doing our job."

The Republicans abandoned their blockade several hours later.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 702-783-1760.