Governors' initial responses following Javier Milei's veto overturning
Argentine Senate Debates ATN Law Amendment
In a heated session, the Argentine National Senate convened to discuss the modification of Law 11.672 on the automatic distribution of the Fondo de Aportes del Tesoro Nacional's resources to the provinces. The debate, marked by political tension, saw senators from various parties expressing their views on the issue.
Senator Guillermo Andrada of Convicción Federal pointed out that the government is using the ATN as a lifesaver and wants to mask the fiscal balance. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Luis Caputo assured the legislators that they will "insist today on breaking the fiscal balance." Caputo, with election-related undertones, called for voting for La Libertad Avanza in October.
Senator Blanco denounced that the Nation keeps more than 70% of what is collected from ATN and distributes it to the provinces discretionarily. This concern was shared by Senator Lucia Corpacci, who stated that no one wants to overthrow Javier Milei's government, but wants it to understand that it is not an emperor.
The Riojan Senator highlighted the ATN law: "It has broad federal consensus." However, Senator Corpacci concluded that by overturning the veto on the ATN resource distribution law, the national government is being asked to recognize federalism and the rights of the provinces.
Peronist senator Mariano Recalde highlighted before entering Congress: "The fact that all the opposition agrees means that there's a climate that people are tired of the chainsaw, the mistreatment, the aggressions."
The debate on the ATN law began with 63 senators present and 9 absent. The vote resulted in 59 affirmative votes. Senator libertarian Francisco Paoltroni, however, questioned the provinces, stating that money is permanently sent to them from the coparticipation and the provinces are not obliged to anything.
Carolina Losada, national senator for Santa Fe, anticipated this morning that she will vote against the presidential veto on the ATN law: "With the ATN, there is no hope for the Government, it is money that belongs to the provinces, which are going through very pressing situations."
Senator Pablo Blanco of Tierra del Fuego announced that he will reject the presidential veto on the ATN resource distribution law. Radical Senator Pablo Blanco denounced to the media before entering Congress that "there is discretion" by the national government and "it does not treat the provinces equitably."
Daniel Bensusán, senator from La Pampa, stated that with this veto, the President wants to make people believe that the provinces will use ATN funds for current expenses. He added that the national government continues with its lies, confusing society.
Radical Senator Martín Lousteau responded to the denunciations of national officials and stated that "the Government destabilizes itself" because "it has an economic plan with inconsistencies and corruption allegations, and it has a way of not wanting to debate differences and find better solutions." He also confirmed that he will vote "in favor of the ATN law and against the veto" of Javier Milei.
Senator Corpacci emphasized that what is happening with people taking to the streets is a clear response to President Milei's actions.
Before starting the treatment of the ATN law, Florencia López, senator from La Rioja, raised a privilege question regarding the Chief of Cabinet, Guillermo Francos, for his "constant failures", specifically in the case of the Disability Law.
The government member who spoke after the Senate vote on the automatic distribution of ATN funds and opposed the automatic distribution is the Federal Minister for Finance.
Senator Wado de Pedro accused President Javier Milei of "lying to all Argentines in a national broadcast when he sent the budget project to Congress," when he said that "the government's priority is human capital."
Caputo crossed the opposition in the Senate's ATN session: "They want to overthrow the President and recover their business." José Mayans, national senator of Peronism and block chief, responded to Economy Minister Luis Caputo's publication on social media: "He's an idiot, he doesn't understand anything. He already ruined the government for Macri and now Milei."
Maximiliano Abad, Radical Senator, announced that he will vote "against the veto and in favor of insisting on the ATN law". Abad denounced that this presidential veto is related to a centralist view where criteria and priorities are inverted.
