Obama praises former Senator Harry Reid at a memorial service in Nevada

By Jeff Mason

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, among others, were among the political publishers in the U.S. who celebrated the life of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday, describing things as seemingly pragmatic.

Reid died last month https://www.reuters.com/world/us/former-us-senate-majority-leader-harry-reid-has-died-2021-12-29 At the age of 82, he was battling pancreatic cancer after doing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelos and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also paid tribute to Reid at a Nevada memorial service, with remarks from Reid’s family and music by singer-songwriter Carole King.

Reid helped secure the passage of Obama’s signature law in 2010 as a result of fierce opposition from Republicans, and the former president said he could not ask for a better friend.

“Without Harry, there would be no Affordable Care Act,” Obama said in his praise. “Harry refused to give up.”

Obama said Reid had made it clear that he was aware of the Senate when he questioned any changes or agreements Obama made to pass the bill.

“Pragmatism, practicality, a priority to do things, a lack of pretension and enduring loyalty. That’s what Harry Reid imagined, “Obama said.

Obama, Biden, Pelosi, and others described Reid’s tendency to cut short conversations and hang up the phone without saying goodbye. “Every time I hear a dial tone, I think of Harry,” Biden said.

Biden, who has served in the Senate for about 36 years, said Reid was one of the best majority leaders in history.

“It simply came to our notice then. It was for the sake of power, about being able to use power to do good to people, ”he said.

Reid was first elected to the House in 1982 and in 1986 was elected to the Senate by Nevada voters. He retired in 2016.

President described Reid as an ordinary, honorable, dignified, courageous, and uninterrupted man.