Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Passes Away at 82 Years Old

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Harry Reid, a politician who served as the Senate Majority Leader for the Democratic Party in the United States, passed away on the 28th (local time) at his home in Henderson, Nevada. He was 82 years old.

Local media including The Washington Post (WP) and Politico reported that Reid had been battling pancreatic cancer since his diagnosis in 2018.

Reid, a former amateur boxer, was known for his combative yet gentle rhetoric. He entered politics after winning the Nevada State Assembly election in 1982 and served as the Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2014. He injured one eye in an accident in 2015 and retired from the Senate the following year.

As a conservative Democrat, Reid is also recognized for pushing through former President Barack Obama's "ObamaCare" legislation despite opposition from the Republican Party. In 2015, former President Obama described him as having "an irreplaceable noble charm." Reid also had a connection with South Korea, having handled the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) bill with the U.S. as the Democratic Party Majority Leader in 2011.

His wife, Landra Reid, described him as "family-oriented and a very loyal friend." They were married for 62 years.

President Joe Biden stated in a press release, "I worked with Harry Reid for 20 years in the U.S. Senate and during my eight years as Vice President." He praised him as "one of the greatest Senate Majority Leaders in history," adding, "For Harry, it was not about power but about having the strength to do what was right for the people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.