Rand Paul stalls Senate’s OK of $40B Ukraine assistance
WASHINGTON — Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul defied leaders of both parties and single-handedly prevented rapid Senate approval Thursday of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine and its allies withstand Russia’s three-month old invasion.
With the Senate poised to debate and vote on a military and economic aid package, Paul denied leaders the unanimous agreement they needed to proceed. The bipartisan measure, backed by President Joe Biden, underscores U.S. determination to reinforce its support for Ukraine’s outnumbered forces.
It seemed likely that Paul’s objection would delay final Senate action until next week. The plan has been approved overwhelmingly by the House and has strong bipartisan support in the Senate, and passage still seems certain.
Paul, a libertarian who often opposes U.S. intervention abroad, said he wanted language inserted into the bill, without a vote, that would have an inspector general scrutinize the new spending. He has a long history of demanding last-minute changes by holding up or threatening to delay bills on the brink of passage, including measures dealing with lynching, the defense budget and providing health care to the Sept. 11 first responders.
Democrats opposed his effort and, along with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., offered a vote on Paul’s language — which would have likely failed — but Paul turned it down. He argued that the added spending would deepen federal deficits and worsen inflation. Last year’s budget deficit was almost $2.8 trillion.
“We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the U.S. economy,” Paul said.
“It’s clear from the junior senator from Kentucky’s remarks, he doesn’t want to aid Ukraine,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., “All he will accomplish with his actions here today is to delay that aid, not to stop it.”
Schumer and McConnell stood nearly side-by-side as they tried pushing the legislation forward.
“They’re only asking for the resources they need to defend themselves against this deranged invasion,” McConnell said.
Earlier Thursday, McConnell called on “both sides” — meaning Republicans and Democrats — “to help us pass this urgent funding bill today.” His pointed inclusion of his own GOP colleagues came as the only apparent stumbling blocks to quick approval seemed to be demands for new language or votes by a handful of Republicans.
The House voted 368-57 on Tuesday to approve the measure. All Democrats and most Republicans backed it, though every “no” vote came from the GOP.
Biden administration officials have said they expect the latest aid measure to suffice through September. But Congress will ultimately face decisions about how much more aid to provide at a time of huge U.S. budget deficits and a risk of recession that could demand added spending at home.