For Gerry Connolly, the Fairfax County board chairman, denouncing illegal immigration hawks to the south was a safe prospect in the heavily Democratic suburb. But since rising to Congress, in an 11th District that dips into the more conservative Prince William County, the freshman Democrat has toughened his rhetoric on the subject.

Connolly has staked out a position as a proponent of health care reform whose support falls short of allowing illegal immigrants access to expanded government programs. He told the Hill newspaper, “I have to be able to reassure my constituents that those who are here illegally cannot avail themselves of the provisions provided in this health care bill.”