Amber Phillips

Story Archive

Harry Reid: Raise the cap to allow more rooftop solar

Thursday, May 14, 2015

The cap limiting how many homeowners in Nevada can provide solar power to the energy grid is “way too low,” said U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic minority leader. Reid’s comments are the first from ...

Reid renews push to ban online gaming, maybe even poker

Monday, May 11, 2015

Online poker is legal and up and running in Nevada. Poker and other online gambling is legal in New Jersey and Delaware, with at least 10 more states considering joining in ...

Free trade divides top Democrats: Obama vs. Reid

Monday, May 11, 2015

Obama is trying to work around Reid to get two trade deals approved by Congress, one with 12 Asian-Pacific countries and another with Europe. Reid opposes both. “I have never, ever, in my 33 years in Congress, supported a trade agreement, and I’m not going to start now,” Reid said last month. “It puts us at a disadvantage. So the answer is not only no, but hell no.” It’s likely, however, the deal will progress despite Reid’s objections ...

Obama considering another national monument in Nevada

Thursday, May 7, 2015

"I am appalled and deeply concerned," Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy said. Hardy's office obtained a draft of the president's proclamation to set aside land in ...

Las Vegas philanthropist might try to unseat Rep. Joe Heck

Monday, April 27, 2015

At the urging of national Democrats, Las Vegas philanthropist Susie Lee is seriously considering challenging Rep. Joe Heck in one of Congress’ last true swing districts. Democrats believe ...

The GOP hopefuls and the billionaire donor: How their views align

Friday, April 24, 2015

In today’s political age, when candidates take a stand on an issue, they have to consider more than just how their views will play with voters. Politicians often have to weigh how their policies will go over with billionaire donors who can buoy or sink campaigns. That's because a 2010 Supreme Court decision lifted major pieces of campaign finance law and opened the door for billionaires to spend unlimited amounts of money influencing campaigns ...

Heck doing ‘due diligence’ to look at run for Senate

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Rep. Joe Heck is a popular choice for Nevada Republicans to challenge Sen. Harry Reid's chosen successor, former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, but he has maintained he's not interested. Now he says he's "talking about it" with ...

Democrat Lucy Flores seeking Cresent Hardy’s seat in Congress

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Lucy Flores, a former Nevada assemblywoman and candidate for lieutenant governor, is running for Nevada’s open seat in Congress. “Hardworking people deserve ...

What will Harry Reid do with his leftover campaign cash?

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

There's a lot Sen. Harry Reid could do with his $1.5 million in leftover campaign funds. but there's one thing he most definitely can't: use the money as if it were his own personal checking account. He can't buy a million-dollar home or new clothes or pay for his grandchildren's tuition, for example. The most likely way he'll use it will be ...

A monumental push: Reid plans to designate two more areas for protection

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Until late last year, environmentalists’ and tourism officials’ dream of Congress bestowing a national monument outside Las Vegas seemed like a long shot. A bill to protect almost 23,000 acres of prehistoric fossil beds outside North Las Vegas had languished in Congress for several years. But thanks in part to Sen. Harry Reid’s behind-the-scenes jockeying in 2014, Tule Springs National Monument is becoming a reality. Now Reid is pushing for ...

Harry Reid rates GOP presidential candidates: ‘They’re all losers’

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Sen. Harry Reid has never been shy about saying what he thinks. But since announcing he is ending his 30 year-Senate career in 2017, Reid has had even less of a filter. The most recent example ...

Here’s how Hillary Clinton plans to win Nevada

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

For Hillary Clinton to reach the White House, a key path will go through Nevada. Winning over voters in this diverse state will bode well for her chances in the general election. Here's her game plan to win ...

Ted Nugent makes comment at NRA meeting about shooting Harry Reid

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

While speaking at a recent National Rifle Association event, rocker and NRA board member Ted Nugent said facetiously that if he had to accept Sen. Harry Reid’s help, he would shoot him afterward.
Nugent made the comment during ...

Sen. Harry Reid’s chief of staff announces his departure

Thursday, April 9, 2015

It’s been a big few weeks of change for Sen. Harry Reid. Less than two weeks after announcing he is retiring from 30 years in the U.S. Senate and endorsing a family friend to run for his seat, Reid also is ...

Bundy’s battle not yet finished

Government stood down last year but still plans to collect unpaid grazing fees

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Department of Justice now is investigating Cliven Bundy and the dozens of militiamen who traveled from across the country to defend him. But it’s not clear what ...

What now? Here's how Harry Reid will likely spend his last months in the Senate

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says he wants to leave Congress at the top of his game. During his final two years in the Senate, he has a chance to do that if he ...

The speculation begins: Who’s going to replace Harry Reid?

Friday, March 27, 2015

Sen. Harry Reid's announced retirement leaves a decade-long vacuum in Nevada politics, and politicos immediately turned to who would replace him. Among the possibilities were ...

It’s over: Reid announces he’s stepping down after current term expires

Friday, March 27, 2015

In a surprise announcement this morning, Harry Reid said he won’t run for what would be his sixth term in the United States Senate ...

From trillion-dollar budgets to WWII female fighter pilots: Nevada’s week in Washington

Friday, March 27, 2015

Nevada's six congressional lawmakers fought to get support in the budget for building an interstate highway, I-11 and aiding veterans. Here's a roundup of their week in Washington ...

In Congress, debate over banning online gaming moves forward

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

In a choose-your-own-facts debate, a Sheldon Adelson-backed bill to ban online gaming got its first airing in Congress with a controversial hearing.

Yucca Mountain: Despite Hardy comments, sides as entrenched as ever

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A controversial opinion piece by Nevada's newest member of Congress calling for a conversation on Yucca Mountain has the site's opponents saying ...

Water expert discusses actions Southern Nevada has taken and what we should plan for

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Lake Mead’s elevation is just 1,087 feet above sea level and dropping steadily. Another 12 feet and the most severe drought-protection program the Southwest has ever seen will be triggered. If and when Lake Mead hits 1,075 feet, the government will declare a federal water shortage for the seven states that draw water from the Colorado River, forcing Nevada ...

Rep. Cresent Hardy on federal land acquisition: ‘Enough is enough’

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

For his first piece of legislation as a member of Congress, Rep. Cresent Hardy is taking on the federal government. The Nevada Republican introduced a bill today to limit ...

Horsford not making another run for Congress

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

After losing his congressional seat in a Republican wave in November, Nevada Democrat Steven Horsford was considered a shoo-in to run for his old seat in 2016 — and win. That won’t be happening.
Horsford ...

Bill would give Nevada first-in-nation presidential primary

Friday, March 13, 2015

When it comes to presidential politics, it’s not enough for some Nevada politicos to be first in the West: A bill proposed today in the state Legislature would move ...

Proposed bill would give Nevada final say on Yucca Mountain

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

For years, Sen. Harry Reid has declared a proposed project to store nuclear waste in Nevada’s Yucca Mountain dead. But just in case the project comes back to life ...

Harry Reid catching flak as fellow senator investigated

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

As a New Jersey Democratic senator comes under fire in a corruption investigation, Republicans are taking aim at another Democrat: Sen. Harry Reid. The Senate minority leader has not ...

Bill aims to reverse Nevada doctor shortage

Friday, March 6, 2015

Doctors who train in Las Vegas stay in Las Vegas. That’s the hope of local, state and federal officials addressing Nevada’s doctor shortage, which is one of the worst ...

Preparing for a renewed battle to keep Yucca Mountain nuke-free

Friday, March 6, 2015

There are renewed stirrings in Congress to push highly radioactive nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain, and anti-nuclear activists are gearing up for ...

Yucca opponents fighting for an old friend, too

Friday, March 6, 2015

As anti-nuclear activists gear up for a potential fight in Congress again, they could be facing battle without of their longtime leaders ...

House votes to fund DHS without immigration blocks

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Congress voted today to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security without restricting President Barack Obama’s contentious deferral deportation programs, ending a months-long immigration standoff between ...

Nevada lawmakers react — and don’t — to Netanyahu’s speech

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial speech to Congress elicited no shortage of sharp reactions. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., released a statement saying ...

Harry Reid cheered before controversial Netanyahu speech

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Sen. Harry Reid received bipartisan cheers and a standing ovation this morning before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a controversial speech to Congress. “Harry, it’s good to see you on your feet,” said Netanyahu, prompting the Senate minority leader to gingerly stand up from his front-row seat and wave in recognition. “I guess it’s true what they say ...

Nevada represents both sides of the immigration debate in D.C., Miami

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015

Nevada represented both sides of the country's immigration debate today at separate events discussing President Barack Obama’s stalled immigration deal ...

Nevada AG says lawsuit is about the rule of law, not immigration

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015

Appearing before Congress, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt elaborated on his controversial decision to join a lawsuit against President Barack Obama’s immigration actions, telling lawmakers it’s a matter of defending the rule of law. “This suit is not about immigration,” Laxalt told members of the ...

Harry Reid dons sunglasses, says he has some vision in injured eye

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015

After two months of wearing an eye patch over his right eye, an on-the-mend Sen. Harry Reid showed up to work today sporting a new look: sunglasses. “We’re working on my beauty here,” he said jokingly. Reid, the Nevada Democrat and ...

These are the D.C. pros who fight for Nevada

Monday, Feb. 23, 2015

Some of Las Vegas’ most influential players don’t have offices in the Capitol or answer to constituents. They’re lobbyists, political strategists and former lawmakers — players in a $3 billion industry trying to win over lawmakers for a cause. Here’s a look at six of Nevada's strong team of behind-the-scenes influence-peddlers ...

Wounded but dangerous: Here’s why to believe Harry Reid will run in ’16

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015

Harry Reid has been injured both politically and physically, but those close to him say that those who think he won't run for re-election in 2016 are missing ...

Reid, Obama expected to discuss Homeland Security funding

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015

Sen. Harry Reid and President Barack Obama are expected to discuss the ongoing fight in Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security when they meet in private today at ...

In battle for Congress’ support, web gaming advocates have a lot to learn from Adelson

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015

"Click your mouse and lose your house," goes one of the slogans from opponents of Internet gaming. Those on the other side of the issue don't have a similarly cohesive message, which leaves them in danger of ...

Just wait until next year: Eyes will be on Nevada

Monday, Feb. 16, 2015

A wide-open presidential race, a competitive U.S. Senate race and Nevada’s status as a crucial swing state all should align to make next year’s elections a battle of titanic proportions in Nevada. Insiders say it’s a good thing for the state, as it will bring in more candidates and force them to take positions on issues that matter to Nevada and the West. Here’s a closer look at the factors at play ...

Washington memo: Reid’s plans unchanged by injury

Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

Heading into a weeklong break, Congress left plenty of loose ends to tie up. But Nevada's lawmakers weren't coasting as ...

Why would gun control advocates see Nevada as a source of hope?

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015

As a gun-loving state where Republicans have launched a wave of pro-firearm proposals since taking control of the Legislature in 2014, Nevada might seem like anything but ...

GOP strategist behind Nevada sweep gets national post

Monday, Feb. 9, 2015

When Republicans swept Nevada’s ballot in November, political insiders handed a big slice of credit to one man — Chris Carr. Carr funded a nonprofit called ...

Reid meets with boxing’s Manny Pacquiao, shows off battle scars

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Still sporting a bruised jaw, swollen right eye and eye patch after a New Year’s Day exercise accident, Sen. Harry Reid looks every bit like he got into a sparring match ...

Obama meets with Las Vegas woman to talk immigration

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

It’s not every day the president of the United States asks about your deadline for law school, then tells you you’ll be a great lawyer. That’s what happened to 25-year-old Las Vegas resident Blanca Gamez, who ...

Titus helps launch bill to allow VA patients, doctors to discuss marijuana

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Rep. Dina Titus joined eight of her House colleagues to introduce a bill that would overturn the Veteran Affairs' prohibition on ...

GOP’s Dean Heller joins Democrats on Senate immigration vote

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015

Republican Sen. Dean Heller helped Democrats block a bill today that would have funded the Department of Homeland Security while rolling back President Barack Obama’s ...

Why AG Laxalt’s immigration lawsuit has made political waves

Friday, Jan. 30, 2015

Attorney General Adam Laxalt made political waves this week when he brought Nevada into a multistate lawsuit challenging an order sparing millions from ...

Sen. Dean Heller says Mormon church has always preached equal rights

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015

Republican Sen. Dean Heller said the Mormon church’s recent call for anti-discrimination laws protecting gays, lesbians bisexuals and transgenders shouldn’t be a surprise. Heller, a member of ...