Washington – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) was arrested and detained briefly by Capitol Hill Police officers today for allegedly opening his coat and showing other senators and members of Congress his economic stimulus package. Reid was questioned briefly, then released with no charges being filed.
Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senator Reid, released a written statement to the media on behalf of Senator Reid, which said, “Senator Reid is deeply sorry for his actions in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol today. He has nothing but respect for the men and women who work and serve this country inside the Capitol. Senator Reid was very excited this morning about his huge package, designed to stimulate the economy. He wanted to share his package with other Senators, in an effort to get their support for what he sees as a desperately needed piece of legislation for this country and its ailing economy. In his zeal to collect support for the initiative, he may have stepped over the line of decency. He apologizes to anyone who was offended by his actions, and hopes he can get back to work soon on behalf of the American people and his constituents in the great state of Nevada.”
The incident comes just weeks after a different incident in which Senator Reid was allegedly cornered in the men’s bathroom by several Republican congressmen. The congressmen threatened Reid until he gave them his lunch money.
