Bobby Rush, a Democratic representative from Chicago, is trying to pass protections for the Espinozas and other families in danger of being separated.

In the Senate, one of the first measures I passed increased protections for women and children.

In December 2010 the Senate passed enhanced protections for government employees and contractors who report cases of waste, fraud and abuse.

"With courts reluctant to protect whistle-blowers, it is crucial that Congress pass additional protections," Ms. Beeson said.

But the prospect of actually passing meaningful protections, as opposed to talking about it, is uncertain.

I want to pass new protections for families.

The Legislature also passed important protections for patients in managed care, and long-overdue improvements in disciplining doctors accused of malpractice.

More insidious, with the W.T.O. rules looming in the background, lawmakers shrink from passing strict environmental protections.

Since the ruling last year, 28 state legislatures have passed new protections against the use of eminent domain.

Illinois was one of only five states in the nation to pass such sweeping protections.