The Atlantic has said it stands by its reporting and would vigorously defend against the "meritless lawsuit".Patel shouted over Van Hollen and sought to turn the tables by accusing him of "slinging margaritas on the taxpayer dime" in El Salvador, a reference to a visit the senator paid last year to Kilmar Abrego Garcia while he was jailed there following his mistaken deportation to the country.“The only person who has been drinking during the day on the taxpayer dime was you," Patel said.“Director Patel, come on," Van Hollen said "These are serious allegations that were made against you."He at one point asked Patel if he was willing to take a test meant to measure whether a person has a drinking problem, prompting Patel to shoot back, "I’ll take any test you’re willing to take."The senator called Patel's claims of drinking margaritas in El Salvador "provably false"