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Promoted from the diaries by Rosi
Here's what happens when you're the only Hispanic Senator, and on the Finance Committee, you just might be able to make the healthcare bill less punitive. From The Hill, my objections to the non-sensical term 'illegal immigrant' notwithstanding (it doesn't even cover the group it intends to cover, since many people who are undocumented have overstayed a visa, which is not a crime):
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) is putting Democrats in a bind by seeking to let illegal [sic] immigrants benefit from the healthcare overhaul...
Menendez said he is withholding his support for the bill until his concerns about immigration and other matters are addressed...
The Senate Finance Committee bill, drafted by centrist Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), does not allow illegal [sic] immigrants to purchase health coverage over an exchange set up to create competition within the insurance industry and reduce costs.
Menendez is troubled by that language and has joined Hispanic advocacy groups in criticizing the bill for placing too heavy a burden on legal and illegal [sic] immigrants.
Good for Rockefeller for saying no to the Baucus bill. Since there are 13 Dems and 10 GOP on the finance committee, Menendez's vote is crucial. But how far can he get?
One Democratic aide said it would be difficult for Menendez to win the inclusion of illegal [sic] immigrants into the insurance exchange. But Menendez may have more success increasing subsidies for those mixed families that include illegal [sic] immigrants.
Having just attended a vigil for the rights of children, many of whom are American Citizens (one of 11 vigils around the state), it looks to me like covering mixed families will have a very big impact.
The Home News and even APP have great photos, and here's one from the end of the night at the Reformed Church of HP:
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