Reid makes some noise, tells fellow senators to ‘shut up’

WASHINGTON — With senators bustling about the Senate floor in advance of a vote Thursday, Majority Leader Harry Reid took a rather direct route to restore order.

He told them to “sit down and shut up.”

The Nevada Democrat stepped in with a raised voice as presiding Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., was trying to gavel senators quiet so Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., could speak on the vote being held on a transportation bill.

“Madam President, Madam President,” Reid called out to Baldwin. “Have senators sit down and shut up, OK?”

“It’s unfair,” Reid said, getting senators’ attention. “Senator (Patty) Murray has something to say. Senator (Susan) Collins has something ... it’s just not polite.”

Order restored.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.