Harry Reid Lashes Out At Republicans

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) went off on the Republicans in Congress on Sunday. Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Reid accused the party of "obstructionism on steroids."

"Mitch McConnell said his number one goal at the beginning of this Congress was to defeat President Obama, not have him reelected. And that's how they've legislated. We've spent months on things that used to happen just matter-of-factly -- raising the debt ceiling," Reid said.

"I would hope the two Republican leaders have learned from what took place in the previous year," he continued. "I would hope that they understand that everything doesn't have to be a fight."

The majority leader said the Tea Party is driving Republicans "right over the cliff," and suggested the movement is dying out.

He pointed to the recent partisan battle over extending the payroll tax credit, calling it a "disaster" for Republicans who fought unsuccessfully to block the tax cut. "Can you imagine, Republicans, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, were opposed to lowering taxes?" said Reid.

The message wasn't all was negative, however. Reid said despite Washington gridlock, the legislature accomplished a lot last year, claiming "we had the most productive Congress in the history of Congress." He expressed hope for compromise going into 2012.