The House Judiciary Committee held another hearing on immigration in San Diego today. The committee talked about the impact of illegal immigration on the American taxpayer, And as KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg explains, the tone of the hearing was set early.
In his opening remarks, committee chair Republican James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin said the impacts of illegal immigration are substantial, especially in the health care arena.
Sensenbrenner: "The majority of illegal immigrants do not have health insurance. As a result, hospitals in the Southwest incur costs of $190 million per year for uncompensated emergency medical treatment of illegal immigrants."
But Los Angeles Democratic Congressman Howard Berman said he's fed up.
Berman: "These hearings are a con job on the American people."
Berman said House leaders have refused to meet with their Senate counterparts to hammer out a compromise immigration reform package. Instead, he complains House Republicans would rather hold countless hearings.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
