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Rand Paul Blocks Senate From Fast-Tracking 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan Testifies Before Senate

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (R) blocked an attempt to fast-track an extension of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) called for a unanimous consent vote to pass the House-approved bill without debate. The bill, which was passed the House with an overwhelming 402-12 majority, will extend the fund through 2090.

Paul objected, citing the high cost of the bill. He says that the cost of the bill must be offset by cutting other spending and wants to offer an amendment to pay for the extension.

“It has long been my feeling that we need to address our massive debt in this country — we have a $22 trillion debt, [and] we’re adding debt at about a trillion dollars a year — and therefore any new spending that we are approaching, any new program that’s going to have longevity of 70, 80 years, should be offset by cutting spending that’s less valuable," Paul said on the Senate floor.

Paul says he will only support the bill if his amendment to pay for it gets passed.

The bill is expected to pass before the Senate begins its summer recess on August 2.

Photo: Getty Images


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