Patrick Leahy: “in reserving the right to object, if the Senator from Florida's bill were to pass, it would make routine domestic…”

“in reserving the right to object, if the Senator from Florida's bill were to pass, it would make routine domestic spending bills nearly impossible to be passed in the U.S. Senate, freezing spending at current levels. I worry that the Senator from Florida believes the false impression that inflation does not impact the millions of Americans who benefit from nondefense discretionary programs. These are people who have to go to work every single day and try to figure out if they are going to have enough money to put groceries on their table. This bill would make things worse for the American people, not better. As an example, this year, the cost of the veterans medical care system is expected to grow by $21 billion. We have all heard the patriotic speeches of how we stand behind our veterans when they answer the call, but I wonder how many VA hospitals and clinics in Florida would have to be closed if this proposal were to be approved. I know there are a lot all over the country that would have to be closed. Natural gas costs have grown by 35 percent this year. Do any of us who may be from a State where the weather can get warm want to tell our constituents who rely on the LIHEAP program to cool their homes ``No, you don't need air conditioning because the money is not going to be there''?…”