Not a single Republican was brave enough to do what Senator Rand Paul did on Thursday.
Standing singularly in the pursuit of America’s interests, the Kentucky Republican prevented Congress from fast-tracking a $40 billion spending bill to be used for funding the Ukrainian war machine.
A deal was struck earlier this week between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minorite Leader Mitch McConnell after Biden urged Congress to swiftly allocate another billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine amid their military battle with Russia.
The Senate leaders also negotiated on the language used in the bill creating an oversight apparatus to supervise what taxpayer dollars were being allocated for.
Paul took to the Senate floor to argue that his “oath of office is the U.S. constitution, not to any foreign nation, and no matter how sympathetic the cause, my oath of office is to the national security of the United States of America.” He also raised concerns about the U.S. economy.
My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation. Congress is trying yet again to ram through a spending bill – one that I doubt anyone has actually read – and there’s no oversight included into how the money is being spent.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
It’s threatening our own national security, and it’s frankly a slap in the face to millions of taxpayers who are struggling to buy gas, groceries, and find baby formula.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
Top lawmakers in both parties were looking to avoid changes to the bill, which passed the House in a 368-57 vote on Tuesday evening, so they wouldn’t have to send the measure back to the lower chamber for a second vote.
“The vast majority of senators on both sides of the aisle want it. There’s now only one thing holding us back. The junior senator from Kentucky is preventing swift passage of Ukraine aid because he wants to add, at the last minute, his own changes directly into the bill. His change is strongly opposed by many members of both parties,” Schumer said.
McConnell called for a vote on the amendment and the bill on Thursday but ultimately delayed the process.
Schumer filed cloture on the measure, with the bill now expected to be brought up for a vote next week.
President Joe Biden has strongly advocated that Congress move quickly to pass the supplemental aid, with lawmakers agreeing to bring it up as a stand-alone bill, removing language to provide additional pandemic response funding, as current aid is expected to run out in the coming days.
The $39.8 billion legislation came in significantly higher than Biden’s initial request of $33 billion and includes provisions to provide funding for additional resources for the country to fight back against Russia’s unprovoked attacks, medical aid support, and screening and funding for diplomatic programs and embassy security.
The Biden administration is desperate to create a money funneling scheme with direct access to Ukraine to better control the regime that has endless amounts of dirt on Sleepy Joe and his corrupt family.
The Democrats have weaponized democracy itself to rouse majority support for this war — a move which they should never be forgiven for.
Author: Ann Taylor
