Rand Paul’s ‘America First’ amendment tabled by Senate
On Thursday, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul introduced the “America First” amendment to the hurricane relief legislation that would provide assistance while preventing the federal government from further running up its debt.
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Unfortunately, the amendment that would give the Senate a chance to fund necessary relief in a fiscally responsible manner, was tabled in the US Senate in an 87-10 vote.
Dr. Paul’s amendment would have offset the proposed $15.25 billion in emergency funding by instead using funds that have been earmarked for foreign aid but not yet spent. In addition, Dr. Paul’s amendment would ensure all spending in the bill goes toward disaster relief instead of long-term funding on unrelated projects.
“There have been people who argued that our $20 trillion debt is the number one threat to our national security. So what I am asking is: Why don’t we pay for this?” Paul said on the floor ahead of the vote. “Why don’t we simply take some money that we were going to spend someone else for something not as valuable in another country and why don’t we spend it here?”
Paul responded to the vote on Twitter–Thanks to my colleagues who voted for my Amendment & for fiscal responsibility. Disappointed in those who chose to further burden us w/ debt.
Related:
- Rand Paul on Afghanistan: ‘I think it is a terrible idea to send any more troops into that war’
- Tim Kaine, Rand Paul, Jeff Flake push for Congress to address ‘illegal war’ in Syria
- Rand Paul and Al Franken join forces in attempt to block Saudi arms sales
- Rand Paul: Money for universities with ‘one set of speech’ and ‘Dystopian Visions’
