The Washington Independent

Posts Tagged robert menendez

Congressional report: Cutting oil company tax breaks is unlikely to affect consumers

By | 05.17.11 | 11:49 am

Image by: Matt MahurinOpponents of ending tax breaks for big oil companies argue that closing tax loopholes will result in higher prices at the pump, but a report from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service finds that ending the tax breaks is unlikely to cause a rise in prices.

Why the Oil Spill Hasn’t Been a Major Midterm Election Issue

By | 11.01.10 | 12:03 pm

Fred Grimm at The Miami Herald has a great column today on how the oil spill has not been a driving factor in the midterm elections in Florida and around the country.

He traces the oil spill narrative roughly like this: Outcry about the environmental effects of the spill More…

Man Behind the ‘Don’t Vote’ Ads Explains, Again, Why Latinos Shouldn’t Vote

By | 10.22.10 | 1:44 pm

The Republican behind the “Don’t Vote” ads aimed at Latino voters came out with a follow-up video explaining why his original spot wasn’t meant to help the GOP in the midterm elections. His argument, according to the Las Vegas Sun: Latino voters should skip out on More…

Breaking Down the Menendez Immigration Bill

By | 10.01.10 | 5:53 pm

Change.org links to a good summary of the 874-page comprehensive immigration reform bill Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced Wednesday. The bill includes paths to legalization for non-criminal illegal immigrants in the country, provided they pay a fine and application fees. But first it focuses More…

Who Should Be Faulted for the Lack of Immigration Reform?

By | 09.30.10 | 3:28 pm

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) criticized President Obama and the Democrats this afternoon for failing to pass immigration reform, which Obama said he would take up in his first year. He’s right about that –  but it’s an odd statement, considering Cornyn’s own party was the one to block it.

Menendez Immigration Bill Includes Gay Rights Provision

By | 09.30.10 | 10:25 am

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill yesterday, including a somewhat controversial provision to extend family-based immigration for same-sex couples. If passed — it’s unclear whether even the reform bill could — the provision could help some of the estimated 24,000 gay and lesbian couples More…

Why Push an Immigration Reform Bill That Won’t Pass?

By | 09.29.10 | 8:53 am

Politico has a good story this morning breaking down criticism over Sen. Robert Menendez’s comprehensive immigration bill, which could be unveiled as early as tonight. Republicans have shown little appetite for immigration reform, panning even smaller measures such as the DREAM Act and More…

Obama Meets With Menendez, Gutierrez and Velazquez on Immigration

By | 09.16.10 | 5:48 pm

President Obama again pledged his support for the DREAM Act during a meeting today with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Reps. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), reportedly promising he will talk to senators to encourage them to vote for the act as part of More…

Obama Renews Call for Immigration Reform, Still Without a Timetable

By | 09.16.10 | 9:02 am

Obama promised immigration reform in 2008, and immigrants rights advocates have not forgotten that he broke his promise. The president attempted to play damage control yesterday at a dinner for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, blaming Republicans for the lack of reform legislation.

Velazquez, Menendez and Gutierrez on Immigration Reform

By | 09.15.10 | 2:38 pm

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s promise to add the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill is good news for immigration reform advocates, but some lawmakers are pressing for more work to be done on immigration issues. Today Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), along with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) More…