General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenate Coronavirus Relief Bill Blocked by Rand Paul
You are here: Home / Health Care / Senate Coronavirus Relief Bill Blocked by Rand Paul
Senate Coronavirus Relief Bill Blocked by Rand Paul
March 17, 2020 at 9:32 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 339 Comments
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate would move at warp speed to pass coronavirus legislation on Tuesday, but Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) put a damper on those plans, two leadership sources told NBC News.
Senators were on Tuesday heading towards a vote on the package which includes provisions for free coronavirus testing, secures paid emergency leave, enhances unemployment insurance, strengthens food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid funding to states but had to slam the brakes on because of an amendment Paul proposed.
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/17/senate-coronavirus-relief-bill-blocked-by-rand-paul/
spanone
(135,633 posts)Windy City Charlie
(1,178 posts)He wants to vote to end the war in Afghanistan first.....unbelievable! Evidently priorities aren't important in Kentucky between Rand Paul and McConnell's actions!
madamesilverspurs
(15,783 posts)is in his "amendment"??
Windy City Charlie
(1,178 posts)The sources said Paul is forcing a vote on his amendment, which would "require a social security number for purposes of the child tax credit, and to provide the President the authority to transfer funds as necessary, and to terminate United States military operations and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan."
SCRUBDASHRUB
(7,252 posts)crickets
(25,896 posts)I agree about the US leaving Afghanistan, but why the fecking hell does anyone think it's OK to hold a desperately needed coronavirus relief bill hostage with a completely unrelated issue? It's manipulative, usually for some partisan bs that would otherwise never be passed. I HATE THAT. If Rand Paul feels that we should end military involvement in Afghanistan - great! He can write his own damned legislation for that.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-coronavirus-bill-vote-delayed-after-rand-paul-pushes-doomed-n1162356
In July of last year, Paul blocked a bipartisan bill that would ensure a victims' compensation fund related to the Sept. 11 attacks never runs out of money. Paul questioned the bill's 70-year time frame and said any new spending should be offset by corresponding cuts. After the amendment failed, he wound up being one of two no votes on the legislation.
Oh, FFS. What a git.