Convening the 113th Congress Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) called on Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to be more willing to rely on Democrats to help him pass bills, like he did with the fiscal cliff legislation.
“As Speaker Boehner saw on New Year’s Day, when he allows every member of the House to vote – and not only the Republican members of the House to vote — Congress can enact bills into laws,” he said on the floor. “No major legislation can pass the Senate without the votes of both Democrats and Republicans. During the 113th Congress, the Speaker should strive to make that the rule in the House of Representatives, as well.”
In short, Reid appears to be urging Boehner not to worry about the so-called Hastert Rule — which involves securing a majority of votes within the majority’s caucus before letting the chamber vote on bills.
