Thread by @paaaaaaaaab

Illuminating train ride through the Senate tunnels with @SenatorMenendez. Here's what he had to say on immigration policy to @LauraLitvan and me —

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>> @SenatorMenendez on parliamentarian: "I disagree with her views. I think that what we've already presented her is foursquare within the budgetary process and has a budgetary effect and in the past, Republicans have used reconciliation for elements of immigration changes."

>> @SenatorMenendez on parliamentarian (cont.): "I am of the belief that in this country, there isn't a process in which there isn't an appeal. [...] I have never seen anything in which there is one person who has the final word and there's no appeal."

>> @SenatorMenendez on parliamentarian (cont.): "So in that context I personally believe that it is the Senate's prerogative to have the ability to disregard the advice because that's all the parliamentarian is ... is giving legal advice to the chair."

>> @SenatorMenendez on parliamentarian (cont.): "I think the chair can disregard that. Otherwise there's no process. It's the parliamentarian who is an unelected member, becomes the 101st Senator, [...] the only person in the Senate that can make a decision without any recourse."

>> @SenatorMenendez on parliamentarian (cont.): "I just don't think that there can be an institution where one person decides and there is no recourse from that decision."

Asked by me if he's concerned about parl's past as immigrant prosecutor in NJ.

>> @SenatorMenendez: "I don't believe that necessary dictates her views. I certainly would hope not and I would not expect that."

Asked by @siobhanehughes if he has brought his concerns about the parliamentarian to @VP (who presumably would preside over eventual BBB vote):

>> @SenatorMenendez: "I have not spoken to her directly about that."