Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) attacked Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) Monday for his role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation, again suggesting he was responsible for leaking a Clinton staffer's personal information and accusing him of an "obsession" with Clinton.
"It's wrong for any senator, especially the chairman of the Judiciary Committee who deals with these issues day after day, to urge the selective leaking of any federal investigation," Reid said. "Remember, there's been a lot of speculation under Chairman Grassley's leadership that personal information of a Clinton staffer was leaked to the press, including payroll records and a social security number."
Reid didn't use her name this time, but it appeared he was bring up an old accusation regarding leaks about Huma Abedin, Clinton's trusted confidante. The Hill reported in December:
"Press reports have suggested that the Republican Judiciary [Committee] staffers are selectively leaking confidential information," the Democratic leader said. "Republican investigators on that committee cannot stop their fixation on Ms. Abedin, even going so far as to request her maternity leave records, and as a result her personal information including her social security number and payroll records have been given to the press."
Reid blasted Grassley for suggesting last week that the FBI could leak information about the investigation if it felt political interference was occurring to protect the Democratic presidential frontrunner, calling it a "new low." Reid said Grassley had "encouraged the FBI to join the political crusade against Secretary Hillary Clinton."
Reid, who broke his own promise to never have the "nuclear option" on filibusters in the Senate when he was Majority Leader, said Grassley was hypocritical for decrying partisanship in the chamber because of his opposition to holding a hearing for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.
"Under the guise of oversight, Senator Grassley has been wasting taxpayer dollars trying to besmirch Hillary Clinton's good name," he said. "This has been going on for years. The senator's singular focus on Secretary Clinton borders on an obsession. ... What have he and his committee achieved? Nothing. All the chairman has done is waste taxpayer dollars."
Reid is known for using his Senate speeches to launch personal attacks. He consistently railed against the billionaire Koch brothers on the Senate floor in 2014, when he was still Majority Leader, questioning their patriotism and suggesting they were trying to "buy America."
The Republicans recaptured the Senate chamber later that year.