Reid asked for bailout for NV bank

Back in December, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation asking it to help out a small bank from his home state with bailout funds, according to The Hill.

The D.C. newspaper obtained documents under the Freedom of Information Act showing that Reid and other lawmakers advocated on behalf of home-state financial institutions, raising concerns about political meddling in a regulatory process.

Nevada Security Bank applied for about $15 million from the Troubled Asset Relief Fund and contacted members of the congressional delegation for help. It hasn't yet heard back about whether it will get the money, The Hill reports.

Reid spokesman Jim Manley told The Hill that Reid's involvement was "appropriate," saying, "Sen. Reid believes it is a critical part of his job to help his constituents in Nevada."