Politico-Sen. Harry Reid at odds with President Obama on NY Mosque

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid : AP

(Story reported by Meredith Shiner for Politico)

Breaking with President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced his opposition Monday to an Islamic mosque and cultural center being sited a few blocks from ground zero in New York.

The construction of the center, which has come under fire and become a talking point for Republicans, was supported Friday by the president in a speech at the White House marking the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.

On Monday, a spokesman for the senator, who’s facing a tough reelection bid this fall, weighed in on what now has become a national issue.

“The First Amendment protects freedom of religion,” Reid spokesman Jim Manley said in a statement. "Sen. Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built someplace else. If the Republicans are being sincere, they would help us pass this long-overdue bill to help the first responders whose health and livelihoods have been devastated because of their bravery on 9/11, rather than continuing to block this much-needed legislation."

(click here to read the full story on the Politico website)