Weekly Update from Senator Reid

May 7, 2010

Nevada Senator Harry Reid was recognized this week as a "Legislative Superhero."  He continued leading the Senate in its work to reign in the greed and recklessness of big Wall Street banks and ensure that Nevada taxpayers never again have to bail them out.  These big banks gambled away our money, bet on failure, and peddled the kind of deceptive mortgages that brought Nevada’s housing market to its knees.  The Wall Street Reform bill that is currently on the Senate floor will end these practices, protect Nevada consumers and hold big Wall Street banks accountable.  Read more about this week’s good news for Nevada.

Legislative “Superhero”

Monday, May 3rd - MomsRising honored me with their “Superhero” award for passing health insurance reform: http://reid.senate.gov/newsroom/pr_100503_reidhonoredassuperhero.cfm

The new health reform law will provide quality, affordable health care for more than 500,000 uninsured Nevadans, tax credits for 27,000 small businesses to provide affordable coverage for employees, and lower prescription drug costs for nearly 60,000 Nevada seniors by closing the Medicare Part D donut hole. Click here for more information on how the new law benefits Nevada.

New OSHA Office in Las Vegas

Tuesday, May 4th – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced their reorganization plan which includes the establishment of a new office in Las Vegas. Please click here to read my statement on the announcement.

Work to Shut Down Yucca Mountain Continues

Tuesday, May 4th – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit agreed to allow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to complete their review of the motion to withdraw the license application for Yucca Mountain. The court also declined to grant an injunction that would have stopped the Department of Energy from dismantling the Yucca project during the proceedings before the NRC and the Court. Please follow this link to read more in the Las Vegas Review-Journal: http://www.lvrj.com/news/court-gives-doe-green-light-to-continue-yucca-shutdown-92827489.html

Legislation Introduced to Stop Development of Sloan Hills Gravel Pit


Wednesday, May 5th – Over the past year I heard from thousands of southern Nevadans who strongly oppose the development of this gravel pit and I introduced legislation to ensure it is never built. Please click here to see my press release and read the statement I submitted for the record. The Review-Journal has a good article on the bill.

Nevada Test Site Workers Get the Compensation they Deserve

Wednesday, May 5th – I have been working for more than a decade to secure compensation for Nevada Test Site workers who contracted cancer while working at the Test Site during the underground testing years of 1963-1992. For too long, these Cold War heroes had to fight unfair bureaucracy and miles of red tape to be justly compensated for their service and sacrifice. Please click here to read the statement I submitted into the record.

Gloria Navarro Confirmed by U.S. Senate as New Federal Judge for Nevada

Wednesday, May 5th – I led the Senate in confirming Gloria Navarro as the next U.S. District Court Judge for Nevada. The fact that Gloria was confirmed with a unanimous vote in the Senate, 98-0, is a sign that she has the talent and expertise necessary to be Nevada’s next great judge. I was honored to share with my Senate colleagues what I know about Gloria and why I suggested to the President that she be the nominee. You can read my remarks by clicking here.