Sheldon Whitehouse actually said...

"Let me ask the panel to focus on a very specific issue, which is the question of monopoly."

"opening statement"

"We have seen a rather unseemly spectacle recently which was a member of the Cabinet telling a Senator that they would be punished in grants and in programs in their home State for voting the wrong way..."

"I think in the long run, if you find this becomes politicized, you will find support for the program dramatically decreasing."