February 11, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about his conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel regarding President Obama's remarks concerning trips to Las Vegas by financial services companies and their employees. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery.

"M. President, at his prime-time press conference Monday night, President Obama made a compelling case for passing his economic recovery plan.

"During the question and answer period, the President made remarks concerning trips to Las Vegas by financial services companies and their employees.

"I have spoken with President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, about the President's remarks. He made it clear to me that the President's criticism was aimed at the potential use of taxpayer funds for junkets, and in no way reflects his thoughts about any one particular city.

"President Obama has been to Nevada twenty times.  In fact, he just accepted my invitation to visit again this spring, for the first time as our president.

"The President knows that Las Vegas is America's premiere destination to do business. The city has more than 140,000 hotel rooms and tens of thousands of feet of meeting space.

"As all Americans spend less as a result of our economic crisis, it is important to know that Las Vegas, with an average hotel daily rate of $119, is one of America's most affordable cities to visit.  That is one reason why nearly 6 million people came to Las Vegas to attend more than 20,000 meetings and conventions last year.

"President Obama and I agree that every penny of taxpayer funds must be protected.  We also agree that Las Vegas is one of America's great destinations for tourists, families and businesses."

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