Democrat senator slams use of 'obscene' phrase - forgets he used it last month

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Fla.) excoriated President Donald Trump and others Tuesday for using the phrase "chain migration," but neglected to note that he had used it himself just a month prior.

Here's the video of his appearance on CNN:

Here's what he said:

"I find it obscene, the phrase, 'chain migration,'" he told CNN host Wolf Blitzer. "It is incredibly cruel to those whose ancestors were brought to this country in chains and slavery. It is a dehumanizing element of what is in essence, family reunification, which has been the core of American immigration principle for over a century."

"The belief that when we have families together," he explained, "that ultimately they strengthen not only themselves and help each other but they help build communities and help build our nation."

Here's what he said a month ago:

In January, Sen. Menendez signed on to a statement about immigration that had the phrase he later called "obscene" and "dehumanizing."

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) posted the statement with Menendez's approval on his social media account.

"We have been working for four months and have reached an agreement in principle that addresses border security," the statement read, "the diversity visa lottery, chain migration/family reunification, and the Dream Act — the areas outlined by the president."

Chain migration, or family reunification, refers to the process by which a person who has legally immigrated to the United States can sponsor the legal entry of his family members.

Trump and other immigration critics have said that the policy is being abused to allow in far too many family members, and have sought to restrict the practice to include only very close family members including spouses and children.