Associated Press - By Donna Cassata
….In a brief interview last week, Menendez dismissed the notion that the investigations and the external distractions have affected his work.
“I haven’t missed a beat,” he said defiantly, ticking off the hearings he’s overseen, meetings on immigration and work on bipartisan legislation. “Nothing has impeded my ability to have an impact on what I care about.”
Rubio said he has a good working relationship with Menendez that dates to their time together as members of the Foreign Relations subcommittee on Western Hemisphere and global narcotics affairs.
“He’s the same intense and focused Bob Menendez I’ve known in the two years I’ve been here,” Rubio said. “The Bob Menendez I see today works just as hard, if not harder, than the one I saw the last year. There’s very few people in this building that work as hard or as intensely as he does.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has worked closely with Menendez on immigration as well as ensuring an aid package for victims of Superstorm Sandy, assistance vital to New York and New Jersey residents. With New Jersey’s other senator, Frank Lautenberg, ailing, Menendez took on an outsized role in working on the aid.
Schumer said Menendez has been critical on immigration, adding that the investigations have not affected his work.
“All of us respect his integrity,” Schumer said…
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