Updated

He certainly has a way with words.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says attempting to work with Republicans in Congress reminds him of “chasing one of these little pigs in a greased pig contest” -- because the lawmakers always “scamper” away from compromises.

Reid, D-Nev., made the comparison on the Senate floor. He said in his travels across his state he has encountered such contests at rodeos, where a pig is greased and children try to catch it.

"Sometimes, working with some Senate Republicans feels a lot like chasing one of those greased pigs," he said. "Regardless of all our efforts, anytime we get close to making progress it seems as though we watch it slip out of our hands, and Republicans scamper away."

Reid was specifically describing his frustration over Republican calls for amendments to an energy efficiency bill.