With new rules, this Senate should be more bipartisan, say leaders

In a colloquy between Senate leaders submitted to the Congressional Record on Thursday, Leaders Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) explained new rules established in part by agreement and in part by resolutions which they say will create a more bipartisan Senate.

The official colloquy, available here, was not yet available as part of the public record as of 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

"Our discussion today is in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation to express hope and anticipation that the 112th Congress will be different in many ways than the 111th," said Reid.

"I agree with the Majority Leader that this Congress should be more bipartisan than the last Congress," said McConnell. "I do support the idea that the Senate should be able to move forward and complete action on matters with broad bipartisan support."