Harry Reid

Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada), is the Senate Majority Leader in the 111th Congress.

He is a member ex officio, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

His politics are centrist within the Democratic party; he is a member of the Moderate Dems Working Group

Healthcare

Now that the Affordable Health Care for America Act has passed the House, his highest legislative priority is health care. There is not, as yet, a single Senate bill.

Nevada politics

Nevada interests go beyond party lines for Reid; he works closely with Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada); they co-host a weekly breakfast in the U.S. Capitol every Thursday that the Senate is in session, and Nevadans visiting Washington D.C. are always welcome.

In 1977 he was appointed Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, where for five years he made headlines with his legendary and unrelenting fight to clean up Nevada's gaming industry.

At the age of 30, Harry Reid became the youngest Lieutenant Governor in Nevada history, winning election as Governor Mike O’Callaghan’s running mate in 1970.

Returning to Nevada, he became city attorney of Henderson, from which he was elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1968, at age 28.

Early life

In high school, he met his mentor, Mike O’Callaghan who would play many roles in his life: teacher, boxing coach, trusted advisor and best friend. Some Nevada businessmen assisted him to go to Utah State University , an act of generosity that Harry Reid would work hard to repay in the coming years.

Graduating in 1961, he worked his way through George Washington University law school as a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

After completing law school,