Rand Paul demands vote on blocking welfare for refugees
The move came after Paul, who is running for president, demanded a vote on an amendment that would ban new refugees from 34 countries or territories from getting assistance from welfare programs funded under the spending bill.
With Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who are spearheading the legislation, opposed to Paul's amendment, Paul pledged that he would block leadership from trying to speed up procedural votes, as well as block any other amendment from getting queued up for floor time.
"The biggest issue of the day is how we protect ourselves from terrorism. My amendment goes to the heart of the matter. Are we sufficiently vetting those who might come here and attack us from the Middle East?" Paul said, adding that "until we address the issues of the day on a germane amendment, I object."
Senators on both sides of the aisle had been optimistic that they would be able to get a time agreement on the transportation-housing bill to get the legislation passed before they leave for a week-long Thanksgiving recess.
But Paul's demand quickly added an unforeseen complication to the otherwise uncontroversial spending bill.