Amid the first government shutdown since 1996 and a looming debt crisis, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has been merciless in his criticism of House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). And at least one top House Democrat doesn’t believe that’s constructive.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) told the New York Times in a story published Tuesday that Reid’s verbal jabs at Boehner have “probably not” been very helpful.
“But frankly,” Hoyer acknowledged, “I feel Harry’s pain.”
Reid’s spokesman told the Times that “Speaker Boehner has a credibility problem,” echoing the criticism levied by the Senate Democratic leader on Monday.
Democrats have upbraided Boehner relentlessly over his claims that neither a continuing resolution to fund the government nor a bill to raise the debt limit by the mid-October deadline could pass the House without reforms.
Reid reportedly called Boehner a “coward” during a meeting last week with fellow Democrats.
