Paul blocks McConnell from setting up defense bill vote!
WASHINGTON (PNN) - July 28, 2017 - Senator Rand Paul (Kent.) blocked Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (Kent.) request early Friday morning for the chamber to advance the annual defense funding bill.
McConnell made the request in the immediate aftermath of the Senate's shocking rejection of a scaled-back bill to repeal parts of ObamaCare, asking for unanimous consent to proceed to the defense legislation. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), who rejected Senator John McCain’s (Ariz.) request on Thursday to pause the health care debate and move on to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), said after the health care vote that he would let the bill move forward.
But Paul, who has been among the Senate's most vocal ObamaCare critics, voiced an objection to McConnell's request without explaining why, stalling proceedings on the NDAA, which is typically one of the least controversial spending bills.
Instead, the Senate will take up judicial nominations when lawmakers meet on Monday.
"Senator Rand Paul requested two bipartisan amendments, one on ending indefinite detention and one on AUMFs," said Paul communications director Sergio Gor, referring to authorizations for the use of military force. "He looks forward to working with leadership and the committee to get this done soon."
