(RepublicanInformer.com)- After the House approved an additional $40 billion in aid to Ukraine with only 57 Republicans voting no, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hoped to fast-track the bill in the Senate by passing it by unanimous consent. But Kentucky Senator Rand Paul monkey-wrenched the plan.
On Thursday, defying both Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Paul blocked the unanimous consent vote, requesting that language be added to the bill without a vote that would grant the Afghanistan Inspector General oversight over the distribution of the aid package.
Paul’s request was denied. But since only one Senator is needed to block a unanimous consent vote, the Senate’s final vote on the $40 billion aid package was delayed.
In a thread on Twitter Thursday evening, Senator Paul defended blocking the unanimous consent vote, arguing that his oath is to the Constitution, not to a foreign country. He blasted the Senate for “trying yet again to ram through a spending bill” nobody has read and for which there will be no oversight into how the money will be spent.
Paul added that any Senator who opposes an amendment to grant the Inspector General oversight over the funds “is irresponsible.”
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted Senator Paul on Monday, saying his “obstruction” wouldn’t prevent the Senate from approving the $40 billion Ukraine giveaway. And he was right.
On Monday, the Senate voted 81 to 11 to advance the $40 billion aid package with zero federal oversight.
Joining Senator Paul in voting against advancing the bill were Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn (TN), John Boozman (AR), Mike Braun (IN), Mike Crapo (ID), Bill Hagerty (TN), Josh Hawley (MO), Mike Lee (UT) Cynthia Lummis (WY), Roger Marshall (KS), and Tommy Tuberville (AL).
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who shared a rare moment of solidarity with Chuck Schumer over Senator Paul’s delay, defended the $40 billion aid package with no oversight, claiming that assisting Ukraine in its fight against Russia “bears directly” on US “national security.” McConnell said it is in our “vital interests” that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine does not succeed. He argued that “there is no question” that Ukraine’s defeat would increase the threat to the security of Europe and the United States.
A final vote is expected on Wednesday, after which the bill will go to the White House where President Biden will no doubt waste no time signing it.
