One of my most important jobs as a Senator is to provide advice and consent for nominees to the United States Supreme Court. Last week I had the honor of meeting with President Obama's choice to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens, Solicitor General Elena Kagan.

Elena first came to my attention when she was nominated to be the people's lawyer, our Solicitor General, early last year. Boy, was she impressive. Experienced, incredibly smart, legally savvy, and above all -- tough enough to fight for the most important client of her career: the people of the United States. It's no surprise she was confirmed for that job with bipartisan support.

Recently we learned that 25,446 Nevadans have collected $186,224,568 in tax credits from the first-time homebuyer tax credit program in the last two years.  I'm glad to see that this program, which I led to passage in the Senate, has been so successful in Nevada.

In addition to reducing the excess inventory of homes, it is helping to boost our state's economy by providing an incentive for people to buy a home.  It is my hope that this program has provided the shot in the arm Nevada's housing market needs so it can continue to stabilize and start to recover.

This week, Danny Tarkanian continued his campaign of deception on healthcare, launching a TV ad based on the ultimate falsehood in the healthcare debate: the thoroughly-debunked “government takeover” lie.

Below is a document seperating fact from fiction.

Today, as we celebrate the 40th annual Earth Day, I wanted to share with you some of the progress being made to preserve Nevada's environment and create good paying clean energy jobs.

I've made it my top priority to ensure our state takes advantage of our abundant natural resources like wind, solar and geothermal to lead the nation in clean energy jobs.  This will not only boost our economy, but protect our environment by breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

That's why I secured over $300 million in the Recovery Act for job-creating clean energy projects right here in Nevada.  That includes the funding for a new clean energy transmission line from White Pine to Clark County as well as $160 million for geothermal projects in northern Nevada.  And thanks to the Recovery Act, every electric meter in the state will be replaced with a smart meter, conserving energy, reducing utility bills and promoting savings. 

Wall Street Reform

Nevadans are suffering. High unemployment, record foreclosures, and a struggling economy. That's why no one understands the importance of financial reform better than Nevadans.

Wall Street wrecked our economy and threw 8 million Americans out of work. They are responsible for our economic disaster, and Senator Reid is fighting to hold them accountable.

Last week I had the privilege of being honored by The Alliance for Retired Americans. They presented me with their lifetime of service award because I have always fought hard for seniors and veterans in my state and across the nation.

This award is especially meaningful to me because its very first recipient was my good friend Senator Ted Kennedy – and I am always honored to be in any club that includes Ted Kennedy.

It’s been about three weeks since I stood behind President Obama as he signed his name on the historic health care bill, but I’m so proud to say that the reforms for which we fought for a century are now the law of the land.

This would never have happened without the steadfast support of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  It would not have happened without their courage – their dedication to standing up for what is necessary, and what is right – and their determination to separate the facts from the fear.

Senator Reid sent this message to Nevadans yesterday, and we wanted to share with everyone:

When I was a kid, one day my Dad didn't arrive home from work at the usual time. As the sun set in Searchlight, my Mom grew more and more concerned. Finally she called on some friends and neighbors to help, and they headed out to the mine to check on my Dad.

When they got there, folks did what they always did when they needed to check on the miners - they banged on the pipes with hammers. Generally, the miners would hear the banging on the pipes and respond in kind, and that's how people knew the miners were safe.

Last week I sent a letter to Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. I informed him that we intend to revise elements of the bills both Houses of Congress passed last year through reconciliation. We're going to finish the job on health insurance reform.

With a simple up or down vote we are going to make the good bill we passed even better. Through the reconciliation process we are going to reduce health care costs, fill the prescription drug "donut hole" for seniors, and reduce the deficit.

The recently signed into law Travel Promotion Act is going to greatly benefit Nevada because we have so many wonderful tourist attractions. Senator Reid fought so hard to pass this bill because he knew that it would mean thousands of jobs for Nevada as foreign tourists flock to Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe.

... “D” on the “Truth Test” ... “Hard to Take Seriously” ... “A Practically Fact-Free Attack On Reid” ... “Absurdity” ... “Big Lie” ... “Flat Wrong” ...

Less than a week after she launched the first attack ad of the 2010 Senate campaign, news sources in Nevada and around the country have taken a look – and they see this ad for what it is: proof that Sue Lowden will say or do anything in this campaign -- no matter how shameless – to score political points. They confirm – time and again – that her ad is riddled with false attacks and ridiculous hyper-partisan rhetoric.

It’s no surprise though, given the fact that Sue Lowden has already been criticized for crossing the line in an earlier television ad where she attacked the late state Senator Jack Vergiels.

Sue Lowden released a new TV Ad titled “One Size Fits All”, where she uses falsehoods and distortions to undermine Sen. Reid’s hard work reforming our broken health insurance system to ensure quality, affordable medical care for all Nevadans. 

Below is a document separating FACT from FICTION:

LOWDEN: As a mom I know one-size-fits-all clothes don't fit, aren't comfortable and are seldom a bargain. So why does Harry Reid want to force one-size fits-all government health care on us? Harry Reid thinks Washington knows best. But I think we the people know best.

FACT: THE SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL PRESERVES THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, QUALITY COVERAGE FOR 518,000 NEVADANS AND ENACTING BADLY-NEEDED INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS

Read on for more Fact Checks...

Dear Senator Reid:

I am honored to have this opportunity to congratulate you on receiving the “Man of the Year” award from the Sun City Anthem Democratic Club. It has been a privilege to work with you and to see firsthand your commitment to improving the lives of Nevadans and all Americans.

In just the past year, you have passed legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work, to bring health care to four million more children of needy families, to stop the predatory practices of credit card companies and to prevent tobacco companies from continuing to prey on our children. You passed a budget that made critical investments in our veterans, energy, education, and health care.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his wife Landra attended Women for Reid Tea Event on Saturday at The Grove in South Reno. The event was hosted by women from across Northern Nevada, including Frankie Sue Del Papa, former Attorney General and Women for Harry Reid Co-Chair.

“All Nevadans, but especially women in Nevada, need Harry Reid fighting for them in the U.S. Senate,” explained Del Papa. “From leading the passage for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to providing funding for the fight against breast cancer and expanding health care coverage to children with SCHIP, Senator Reid delivers on our issues.”

This past week Senator Reid hosted Latino luncheon in both Las Vegas and Reno. These were excellent opportunities for community and national leaders to meet with Senator Reid to discuss the many important issues facing Nevada’s diverse Latino communities.

Senator Reid reiterated that his number one priority is creating good paying jobs and turning Nevada’s economy around. He knows that the economic crisis has hit Nevada’s Latino families particularly hard.

Over 500 people attended Senator Reid's Reno Volunteer Appreciation luncheon for his campaign this weekend. Volunteers are already hard at work pounding the pavement, hosting house parties and phone banking for Senator Reid's re-election efforts.

This was an extraordinary show of support and energy with the election more than 8 months away!

One of my most important jobs as a Senator is to provide advice and consent for nominees to the United States Supreme Court. Last week I had the honor of meeting with President Obama's choice to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens, Solicitor General Elena Kagan.

Elena first came to my attention when she was nominated to be the people's lawyer, our Solicitor General, early last year. Boy, was she impressive. Experienced, incredibly smart, legally savvy, and above all -- tough enough to fight for the most important client of her career: the people of the United States. It's no surprise she was confirmed for that job with bipartisan support.

Recently we learned that 25,446 Nevadans have collected $186,224,568 in tax credits from the first-time homebuyer tax credit program in the last two years.  I'm glad to see that this program, which I led to passage in the Senate, has been so successful in Nevada.

In addition to reducing the excess inventory of homes, it is helping to boost our state's economy by providing an incentive for people to buy a home.  It is my hope that this program has provided the shot in the arm Nevada's housing market needs so it can continue to stabilize and start to recover.

This week, Danny Tarkanian continued his campaign of deception on healthcare, launching a TV ad based on the ultimate falsehood in the healthcare debate: the thoroughly-debunked “government takeover” lie.

Below is a document seperating fact from fiction.

Today, as we celebrate the 40th annual Earth Day, I wanted to share with you some of the progress being made to preserve Nevada's environment and create good paying clean energy jobs.

I've made it my top priority to ensure our state takes advantage of our abundant natural resources like wind, solar and geothermal to lead the nation in clean energy jobs.  This will not only boost our economy, but protect our environment by breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

That's why I secured over $300 million in the Recovery Act for job-creating clean energy projects right here in Nevada.  That includes the funding for a new clean energy transmission line from White Pine to Clark County as well as $160 million for geothermal projects in northern Nevada.  And thanks to the Recovery Act, every electric meter in the state will be replaced with a smart meter, conserving energy, reducing utility bills and promoting savings. 

Wall Street Reform

Nevadans are suffering. High unemployment, record foreclosures, and a struggling economy. That's why no one understands the importance of financial reform better than Nevadans.

Wall Street wrecked our economy and threw 8 million Americans out of work. They are responsible for our economic disaster, and Senator Reid is fighting to hold them accountable.

Last week I had the privilege of being honored by The Alliance for Retired Americans. They presented me with their lifetime of service award because I have always fought hard for seniors and veterans in my state and across the nation.

This award is especially meaningful to me because its very first recipient was my good friend Senator Ted Kennedy – and I am always honored to be in any club that includes Ted Kennedy.

It’s been about three weeks since I stood behind President Obama as he signed his name on the historic health care bill, but I’m so proud to say that the reforms for which we fought for a century are now the law of the land.

This would never have happened without the steadfast support of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  It would not have happened without their courage – their dedication to standing up for what is necessary, and what is right – and their determination to separate the facts from the fear.

Senator Reid sent this message to Nevadans yesterday, and we wanted to share with everyone:

When I was a kid, one day my Dad didn't arrive home from work at the usual time. As the sun set in Searchlight, my Mom grew more and more concerned. Finally she called on some friends and neighbors to help, and they headed out to the mine to check on my Dad.

When they got there, folks did what they always did when they needed to check on the miners - they banged on the pipes with hammers. Generally, the miners would hear the banging on the pipes and respond in kind, and that's how people knew the miners were safe.

Last week I sent a letter to Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. I informed him that we intend to revise elements of the bills both Houses of Congress passed last year through reconciliation. We're going to finish the job on health insurance reform.

With a simple up or down vote we are going to make the good bill we passed even better. Through the reconciliation process we are going to reduce health care costs, fill the prescription drug "donut hole" for seniors, and reduce the deficit.

The recently signed into law Travel Promotion Act is going to greatly benefit Nevada because we have so many wonderful tourist attractions. Senator Reid fought so hard to pass this bill because he knew that it would mean thousands of jobs for Nevada as foreign tourists flock to Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe.

... “D” on the “Truth Test” ... “Hard to Take Seriously” ... “A Practically Fact-Free Attack On Reid” ... “Absurdity” ... “Big Lie” ... “Flat Wrong” ...

Less than a week after she launched the first attack ad of the 2010 Senate campaign, news sources in Nevada and around the country have taken a look – and they see this ad for what it is: proof that Sue Lowden will say or do anything in this campaign -- no matter how shameless – to score political points. They confirm – time and again – that her ad is riddled with false attacks and ridiculous hyper-partisan rhetoric.

It’s no surprise though, given the fact that Sue Lowden has already been criticized for crossing the line in an earlier television ad where she attacked the late state Senator Jack Vergiels.

Sue Lowden released a new TV Ad titled “One Size Fits All”, where she uses falsehoods and distortions to undermine Sen. Reid’s hard work reforming our broken health insurance system to ensure quality, affordable medical care for all Nevadans. 

Below is a document separating FACT from FICTION:

LOWDEN: As a mom I know one-size-fits-all clothes don't fit, aren't comfortable and are seldom a bargain. So why does Harry Reid want to force one-size fits-all government health care on us? Harry Reid thinks Washington knows best. But I think we the people know best.

FACT: THE SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL PRESERVES THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, QUALITY COVERAGE FOR 518,000 NEVADANS AND ENACTING BADLY-NEEDED INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS

Read on for more Fact Checks...

Dear Senator Reid:

I am honored to have this opportunity to congratulate you on receiving the “Man of the Year” award from the Sun City Anthem Democratic Club. It has been a privilege to work with you and to see firsthand your commitment to improving the lives of Nevadans and all Americans.

In just the past year, you have passed legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work, to bring health care to four million more children of needy families, to stop the predatory practices of credit card companies and to prevent tobacco companies from continuing to prey on our children. You passed a budget that made critical investments in our veterans, energy, education, and health care.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his wife Landra attended Women for Reid Tea Event on Saturday at The Grove in South Reno. The event was hosted by women from across Northern Nevada, including Frankie Sue Del Papa, former Attorney General and Women for Harry Reid Co-Chair.

“All Nevadans, but especially women in Nevada, need Harry Reid fighting for them in the U.S. Senate,” explained Del Papa. “From leading the passage for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to providing funding for the fight against breast cancer and expanding health care coverage to children with SCHIP, Senator Reid delivers on our issues.”

This past week Senator Reid hosted Latino luncheon in both Las Vegas and Reno. These were excellent opportunities for community and national leaders to meet with Senator Reid to discuss the many important issues facing Nevada’s diverse Latino communities.

Senator Reid reiterated that his number one priority is creating good paying jobs and turning Nevada’s economy around. He knows that the economic crisis has hit Nevada’s Latino families particularly hard.

Over 500 people attended Senator Reid's Reno Volunteer Appreciation luncheon for his campaign this weekend. Volunteers are already hard at work pounding the pavement, hosting house parties and phone banking for Senator Reid's re-election efforts.

This was an extraordinary show of support and energy with the election more than 8 months away!