“I read the summary,” Dalton replied, attempting to laugh it off. Rubio didn’t blink. “That explains everything,” he said, the silence now deafening.
“You mock solutions you haven’t even taken the time to understand,” Rubio continued. “That’s not leadership. That’s negligence wrapped in performance.”
Dalton opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come fast enough. Several senators shifted in their seats—uncomfortable, perhaps even embarrassed.
Rubio held the floor now, his presence magnetic, his voice unwavering. “This bill allocates funding for child healthcare, mental health diagnostics, and wellness access,” he said.
“Opposing that without reading it isn’t politics—it’s malpractice,” he added, pausing for effect. “And people in this room know better than to pretend otherwise.”
The silence thickened. Even Dalton’s usual allies glanced away. Rubio leaned forward slightly, not missing a beat.
