Menendez Bill Would Give Legal Status To Families Of Troops

By Philip Bunnell

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) urged lawmakers to pass legislation he is sponsoring that would grant immediate citizenship to family members of those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Military Families Act would allow the spouses, parents, or children of any active service member or service member who has served at some point since October, 7, 2001 to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

“If you wear the uniform of the United States, risk your life, serve honorably, your country should return the favor and make sure you are not separated from a loved one while you are fighting for your country,” said Menendez.

The legislation will likely be viewed as an attempt by Menendez to save face with Hispanic voters, who have been frustrated over Congress’ failure in recent years to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Menendez also called today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Arizona’s Legal Workers Act, “a further example of Congress’s failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform that is leading to a patchwork of immigration laws.”

In a 5-3 ruling, the Court upheld a provision within the four-year-old law that allows the state to revoke business licenses if employers are found to have knowingly hired an illegal immigrant.

Senate Campaign Chairmen Share Contrasting Visions For Midterms

By AJ Swartwood

The respective Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican Senatorial Campaign Committees met today at the National Press Club and outlined their parties’ plans heading into the midterm elections.

Senators John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) touted their own parties’ visions for the future as they try to rally support for what is shaping out to be one of the most unpredictable election cycles in recent memory.

The message of Cornyn was one of optimism and excitement as the GOP faces the midterm elections, citing the President’s vigorous pre-election campaigning as a last ditch effort to save key Democratic Senate seats. He touted new polls that show Republicans with a large lead in terms of enthusiasm and predicted voter turnout.  

“It’s clear that the American people have gotten tired of being lectured to and not listened to,” said Cornyn. 

Sen. Menendez, on the other hand, painted a different picture. While conceding that his party faces a variety of “headwinds” before the midterms, he touted the Democratic reform in Senate as being vitally important in saving the economy from even deeper collapse. Furthermore, he made the case that while Republicans have sought to extend tax cuts for the wealthy, Democrats continue to be the party of the middle class. 

“They have  stood the special interests, with Wall Street, with big banks, with big insurance,  with big oil, and we have been fighting for the average person in this country,” he said. “Democrats are on your side.”

When asked about his November predictions, Menendez responded, “I think we will surprise people on November 2nd.” 

Senate Democrats Blame Stagnant Economy On Stalled Congress

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

A duo of Senate Democrats pointed their fingers the Republican party Thursday and accused Senate Republicans of stalling an agenda aimed at boosting the economy.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) posed a simple question to voters heading into the summer recess.

“Whose side are you on?” he asked.

Menendez asserted that more could have been accomplished this year had Republicans not repeatedly stalled legislation and denied the economy of countless beneficial provisions.

“As [Democrats] try to give those small businesses the tax breaks and incentives to be able to grow this economy and hire more Americans, Republicans, every step of the way, are impeding our ability to create those jobs,” he said.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said that it is frustrating to move legislation in the Senate because negotiations get delayed and are not made in good faith.

Menendez agreed, and said Senate Democrats will try to pass energy legislation, repeal tax breaks and help small businesses when the Senate reconvenes in September.

“What we want at the end of the day is to help middle-class families in this country get over this difficult time and realize their hopes and dreams and aspirations,” he said.

However, the lawmakers’ ambitious remarks were met immediately with skepticism.

“Senators Menendez and Whitehouse have imposed an immeasurable burden on small businesses with mountains of new spending and debt and countless new tax hikes under the failed Pelosi-Reid economic agenda,” said Parish Braden, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee (RNC).

In fact, 83,000 total jobs have dissapeared in Rhode Island and New Jersey since one of the Democrats’ biggest legislative achievements - the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - was passed in early 2009. Both states have also seen their unemployment rates rise considerably in that time.

“Democrat leaders pledge to support small businesses while at the same time are planning yet another job killing tax hike on the same businesses,” Braden added.

Allegations Surface, BP May Have Arranged Release Of Terrorist For Oil Deal

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sent a letter Tuesday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to investigate reports accusing BP of arranging the release of convicted terrorist Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in order to finalize a $900 million drilling deal with Libya.

“If BP is found to have helped free this mass murderer… [then] any money it makes off that oil is blood money,” said Menendez during a press conference Wednesday.

The Scottish government freed the Megrahi on compassionate grounds in August 2009, 2 years after BP started exploring the possibilities of drilling in Libya. The quartet of Senators is pushing the State Department to investigate the situation and to reveal exactly what role BP played in Megrahi’s release. 

“We have a clear message for BP. Until this deal is properly investigated this project off the coast of Libya should not break ground. If BP is truly dealing in good faith and has nothing to hide, it should cooperate with such an investigation,” said Lautenberg.

BP is set to begin drilling off the Gulf of Sidra next month.

Senate Democrats Want To Ensure BP Is Held Accountable

By: Justine Rellosa- Talk Radio News Service

After the Senate failed to pass legislation on Tuesday that would raise the liability cap for those responsible for the oil spill, Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) held a briefing to stress the importance of lifting the liability limit for oil giants from $75 million to $10 billion.

“I don’t think BP’s words are anything to rely upon," said Menendez. Added the New Jersey Democrat, "By lifting the cap unlimitedly, whoever is determined to be beyond BP, the responsible party, will also be [held] responsible.

Lautenberg noted that BP does have the available funds to meet additional costs posed by a higher cap.

“BP had a $5 billion dollar profit quarter...they can afford to pay for their mistakes,” Lautenberg said.