Reid's threatened filibuster successful

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. stalled the U.S. Senate from taking action on the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill by asking for a full reading of the Conference Report for the bill and then preparing to begin a filibuster speech.

After the 3 1/2 hour reading Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., pulled the bill from the schedule before Reid could start his filibuster.

Reid said he did not want to see the bill pass without his amendment to provide prescription contraceptive coverage for women in the federal health care system.

"When Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott brought the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill to the floor, I vowed to do whatever it took, for however long," Reid said.

"Apparently, my tactics were successful, because it took less than four hours for Lott to concede to my heartfelt conviction against passing this bill without my amendment, and he pulled the bill from the Senate floor."

Reid went on to accuse some of his colleagues of behind the scenes tactics and of being an anti-woman Congress.

Reid's amendment would have required all 374 federal Employees Health Benefits plans to cover FDA approved contraceptives, if they cover the cost of other prescriptions. Under the amendment 1.2 million women would be eligible for coverage, Reid said.

Reid said that he is hopeful that his amendment will now be added to the Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

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