The United States Senate is by and large a hotbed for establishment legislative action. It’s the legislative chamber that epitomizes the uniparty consensus present in DC.
This is especially notable on issues of foreign policy.
The Russo-Ukrainian war has showcased how DC is a hivemind on controversial foreign policy developments. But one Senator has decided to no longer be a worker drone.
On May 12, 2022, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul stood in defiance of the uniparty by delaying the approval of $40 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine in its fight with Russia.
In delaying this vote, the Senate will have to reconsider the matter next week.
This legislation was easily passed in the US House by a vote of 368-57.
368-57: House tonight approved $40B in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion. All 57 members voting No were Republicans. Bill now heads to the Senate. pic.twitter.com/BMd5j4txok
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) May 11, 2022
Paul wants language included in the bill that would entrust an inspector general with the task of reviewing new spending programs.
The Kentucky Senator sounded off on why he stalled this bill in a Twitter thread.
Paul tweeted, “My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation. Congress is trying yet again to ram through a spending bill – one that I doubt anyone has actually read – and there’s no oversight included into how the money is being spent.”
My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation. Congress is trying yet again to ram through a spending bill – one that I doubt anyone has actually read – and there’s no oversight included into how the money is being spent.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
The Kentucky Senator added, “All I requested is an amendment to be included in the final bill that allows for the Inspector General to oversee how funds are spent. Anyone who is opposed to this is irresponsible.”
All I requested is an amendment to be included in the final bill that allows for the Inspector General to oversee how funds are spent. Anyone who is opposed to this is irresponsible.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
Paul laid out the economic realities that the US is currently facing which make it difficult for the justification of another big spending bill:
“While I sympathize with the people of Ukraine, and commend their fight against Putin, we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have. Passing this bill brings the total we’ve sent to Ukraine to nearly $54 billion over the course of two months.”
While I sympathize with the people of Ukraine, and commend their fight against Putin, we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have. Passing this bill brings the total we’ve sent to Ukraine to nearly $54 billion over the course of two months.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
Paul concluded the thread by declaring, “It’s threatening our own national security, and it’s frankly a slap in the face to millions of taxpayers who are struggling to buy gas, groceries, and find baby formula.”
It’s threatening our own national security, and it’s frankly a slap in the face to millions of taxpayers who are struggling to buy gas, groceries, and find baby formula.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 13, 2022
For once, a member of Congress is showing some bravery. It’s frightening to see the degree of uniformity among elected officials on matters concerning great power conflict.
This type of mindset puts the US much closer to a potential nuclear exchange. Thankfully, there exists elected officials like Rand Paul and his fellow Kentucky counterpart in the House, Thomas Massie. It will be these brave elected officials who will be standing for non-interventionism and realism in these times of crisis.
Without Paul and Massie going against the grain, the US would likely be putting boots on the ground in Ukraine — a nightmare scenario for global security.
