Snowe Blasts Democratic Leadership

Mal Leary Reporting

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Olympia Snowe lashed out at Democrats, accusing them of deliberately undermining a small business development proposal with billions of dollars in spending for unrelated purposes. Snowe was furious at Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for adding the extra spending.

Senator Snowe was furious at Majority Leader Reid for adding amendments to the bill for everything from extra Agriculture spending to billions in aid to local schools. She says the small business bill would create jobs and boost the economy, and that the bill should be limited to that purpose.

Snowe says she has tried to be bipartisan and work with the democrats, but she told the Senate the additional spending added to the small business bill was unacceptable. Snowe led the successful effort to block further debate on the measure and urged consideration of the committee bill without any add-ons.