He served in government 48 years.
Harry Reid, a longtime U.S. Senator from Nevada, passed away Tuesday at age 82. Reid had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018. The outspoken leader became well known for his use of the “nuclear option” in 2013, leading the charge to end the filibuster on executive branch nominees and judicial nominees other than to the Supreme Court.
He began his career of public service as a member of the Nevada Assembly, was Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and ultimately became a United States Senator in January 1987. He is credited with spearheading such legislation as the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
President Joe Biden, who served with Reid in the Senate, called him one of the “all-time great Senate Majority Leaders in our history.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York stated, “He was my leader, my mentor, one of my dearest friends. He’s gone but he will walk by the sides of many of us in the Senate every single day.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “Senator Harry Reid was a leader of immense courage and ferocious conviction who worked tirelessly to achieve historic progress for the American people.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the family and friends of former Senator Harry Reid as they grieve his passing.
- For members of the Senate as the future of the filibuster is debated.
- For wisdom for the president and the speaker of the House.
Sources: CNN, Politico, Fox News, Wikipedia
