Democrats plan pushing a lot more bills through the Senate

So much for hopes that the energy bill wouldn't get serious consideration.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) laid out an daunting summer agenda for the Senate on Monday afternoon, including a tax extenders bill, an emergency extension of unemployment benefits, a small-business jobs bill, the financial reform conference report and a war funding bill.

To top that off, the Senate also has to begin the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan and deal with the ongoing oil spill crisis in the Gulf.

"The work period between now and July 4 is short, but our to-do list is very long," Reid said.

As if that’s not enough to deal with, Reid wants key Senate committees to draw up an energy bill in wake of the oil spill crisis.

Late last week, Reid sent a letter to committee chairmen calling for the groundwork to be laid on a comprehensive energy bill. On the floor Monday, he made an even more explicit connection to the Gulf crisis and the need for an energy bill. . . .