Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul defied leaders of both parties and single-handedly delayed until next week Senate approval of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine. He has a long history of demanding last-minute changes.
WASHINGTON — Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul defied leaders of both parties Thursday and single-handedly delayed until next week Senate approval of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine and its allies withstand Russia’s three-month old invasion.
Even so, Paul’s objection was an audacious departure from an overwhelming sentiment in Congress that quickly helping Ukraine was urgent, both for that nation’s prospects of withstanding Vladimir Putin’s brutal attack and for discouraging the Russian president from escalating or widening the war. He argued that the added spending was a significant sum that would deepen federal deficits and worsen inflation. Last year’s budget deficit was almost $2.8 trillion but likely headed downward, and the bill’s spending is less than two-tenths of 1% the size of the U.S. economy, suggesting its impact on inflation would be negligible.
Underscoring their joint desire to approve the bill immediately, Schumer and McConnell stood nearly side-by-side as they tried pushing the legislation forward. “Helping Ukraine is not an instance of mere philanthropy,” McConnell said. “It bears directly on America’s national security and vital interests that Russia’s naked aggression not succeed and carries significant costs.”
Biden asked Congress for $33 billion two weeks ago. It didn’t take lawmakers long to add $3.4 billion to his requests for both military and humanitarian programs.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Rand Paul blocks quick passage of $40 billion Ukraine aid packageThe legislation has been approved overwhelmingly by the House and has strong bipartisan support in the Senate.
Baca lebih lajut »
John McCain warning on Rand Paul and Putin resurfaces after Ukraine votePaul defended his decision to block a fast-tracked vote on Ukraine aid and warned about 'fiscal insanity.'
Baca lebih lajut »
South African Rand Price Forecast: USD/ZAR Downside Correction on the Horizon?The South African rand has slumped into negative territory year-to-date against the U.S. dollar after the greenback soars on the back of rising inflationary pressures and an aggressive Federal Reserve. Get your market update from WVenketas here:
Baca lebih lajut »
‘Winning Time’ depiction of Paul Westhead vs. Jack McKinney stirs up painful memoriesAmidst all the overwrought performances in HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,' Philly provided the saga of the Lakers’ Showtime’s origins with some of its most significant figures and moments.
Baca lebih lajut »
Paul McCartney on Writing “Eleanor Rigby”John Lennon “could be quite caustic and witty, but once you got to know him he had this lovely warm character,” Paul McCartney writes. “I was more the opposite.”
Baca lebih lajut »