An introspective and sometimes-emotional Sen. Robert Menendez met with the Star-Ledger's editorial board yesterday to talk about politics, the economy and what's ahead in a deeply-divided Congress.
Menendez defended the recently-passed health care reform bills, saying they will save the country money in the long run. "This is the one singular thing that is being done that actually reduces debt— $143 billion in the first 10 years," Menendez said. The Democrat also answered questions about President Obama's new policy on offshore drilling and the possibility that Congress will take on immigration reform, now that health care is finished. The senator said he recently met with Obama and advised him to propose an overhaul to the nation's immigration policy after the November elections. Menendez said he expects a difficult fight among lawmakers over the issue. He got choked up when he discussed what he views as lingering racism within Congress. "I'd never think I'd come to what I view as the greatest institution in the world . . . to hear some senators say 'those people,'" Menendez said.
Copyright 2010 The Star-Ledger
