DC Mayor Confronts Sen. Reid About Shutdown

City needs Congress' permission to spend its own money

An unusual confrontation took place on the U.S. Capitol steps Wednesday when District Mayor Vincent C. Gray crashed a news conference held by Senate Democrats and asked Majority Leader Harry Reid to exempt the city from the ongoing shutdown.

"Sir, we are not a department of the government," Gray told Reid moments after the mayor concluded his own press event about 50 yards from where Reid held one. "We're simply trying to be able to spend our own money."

"I'm on your side, don't screw it up, okay? Don't screw it up," Reid (Nev.) told his fellow Democrat.