Reid cancels Dallas money trip

Health care reform has thrown another wrench into Sen. Harry Reid's fundraising travel.

A Reid trip to Dallas today where the Senate majority leader would have been a headliner at two events was called off as the senator is taking part in health care negotiations at the White House, his office confirmed this morning.

Vice President Joe Biden was to have gone along, but he also pulled out after President Barack Obama dispatched him to Florida to meet with Haitian-Americans.
   
It was not clear whether either of the events might still be held in some form despite Reid's absence.  

According to the Dallas Morning News, Sens. Max Baucus of Montana and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana also were expected to attend one of the receptions, at the home of Russell and Dorothy Budd. He is a prominent plaintiff's lawyer. That event was to raise money for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm.

The second event, in suburban Irving, was for Reid's re-election fund. The city's mayor and business leaders wanted to showcase a development project for Reid, but were taking some heat in the process.

Last month, Reid canceled a fundraising trip to New Orleans that was scheduled for a Saturday, after the Senate remained in session to debate the health care reform bill.