No October recess for Senate, Reid says

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Pressing work on healthcare reform in the U.S. Senate means its members won't get an October recess, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday.

Reid, acknowledging the lack of a recess burdens lawmakers, said senators will take up floor debate during the week of Oct. 12 instead of returning home, The Hill reported.

"The Columbus Day (recess) is fast approaching," Reid said on the Senate floor. "It's the week after next and with all the things going on here, it just would not be right for us to take that week off."

Reid said the Senate schedule would be off Monday for Columbus Day, work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then off Friday.

"I know that's inconvenient for others because we indicated there would be a recess," the Nevada Democrat said. "So I apologize to everyone."