Patrick Leahy: “I don't believe it is an improved bill but it is a different bill. Frankly, we have before the Senate a different piece…”

“I don't believe it is an improved bill but it is a different bill. Frankly, we have before the Senate a different piece of legislation in which there has not been 38 seconds of hearings. We have before the Senate a bill which, unlike other major legislation, does not have a specific report before the Senate. We have a bill that is brought down in time for the Monday afternoon bed check vote, without a report, without a hearing. Mr. President, we are asked to pass a piece of legislation that would dramatically encroach on the rights of the municipalities, counties, and States in our country. It would be a massive shift of power from the local people and communities to the Federal courts. I think one of the reasons it is being rushed through is that the big developers who want it don't want the public to look at this very long. But those who have looked at it are opposed to it. That includes the National Governors' Association, the National Association of Counties. Others who oppose it include the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Towns and Townships, the National Conference of State Legislatures.”