Congress returns to work today for a short three day session that should end with lawmakers going back home for the elections, and then returning to Washington, D.C. in mid-November.
While that schedule seems locked in for House members, the Senate could still face some last minute trouble with a stop gap budget to keep the government running, as one Senator is threatening to hold things up in a dispute over foreign aid.
For months, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has threatened to hold up a variety of legislation in order to get a vote on a plan that would cut foreign aid to certain countries like Pakistan, Egypt and Libya.
Now, in the wake of the recent attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Libya, Paul is asking his colleagues to consider "cutting all foreign aid to any country that fails to secure our embassies."
Here is the text of a letter that Paul sent out on Tuesday:
As this is expected to be the final week of legislative session for both the House and Senate before an extended recess, I urge you to take immediate action to pass a much-needed bill demanding cooperation and accountability from the countries involved in the recent violence directed at our embassies and consulates. The bill should send a strong clear message to these entities: You do not get foreign aid unless you are an unwavering ally of the United States.
This week is likely our last chance to address the ongoing violence, to promote security at our diplomatic facilities, and to take appropriate steps to ensure cooperation from the governments of Pakistan, Egypt and Libya.
First, we must demand accountability from the government of Pakistan, which receives over $3 billion from us every year, yet routinely plays both sides of some of the most important issues while openly thwarting our objectives in the region. They should be subject to the same conditions applied to Egypt, Libya, and the others, and they should also release Dr. Shakil Afridi, the doctor who bravely stepped forward to help us in our efforts to identify the hiding place of Osama bin Laden. Dr. Afridi remains under arrest for his role in finding bin Laden, and no country that arrests a man for helping to find bin Laden is an ally of the United States. If Pakistan wants to be our ally-and receive foreign aid for being one-then they should act like it, and they must start by releasing Dr. Afridi.
At the same time, we must take steps to cut foreign aid to Egypt and Libya-or any other country which fails to secure our embassies-and we must make it clear that, unless there is full cooperation in bringing these attackers to justice, no foreign aid will be provided in the future. A full investigation is necessary to determine who is responsible for these murders, and simply identifying the persons responsible is not enough. We must insist that any country which expects assistance dollars from the United States cannot permit the growth and influence of violent ideologies within their borders-especially when the practitioners of these ideologies are intent on murdering our diplomatic personnel abroad. All of these actions must be verified and certified before Congress considers resuming aid.
While I believe the most effective tactic is to demand a full stop to the flow of foreign aid money to these countries until those responsible for the attacks on our diplomats are found, there are other options which can be considered. For example, significant cuts that are less than the full amount of foreign aid could be considered, coupled with redirecting a portion of the money into the improvement of security at our diplomatic facilities. If these countries cannot secure American lives and property, our increased cost of doing so must come out of the money set aside for aid.
The timing of this action by Congress is crucial. There is no better time than now to send a clear message to the world that we will not send good money after bad any longer. I have insisted on floor consideration and votes on these issues in the Senate, and will be engaged in a filibuster of the Continuing Resolution and any recess for adjournment until the Senate allows action on these vital matters.
I hope you will join me in this effort by passing a bill in the House of Representatives to address this ongoing crisis.
Sincerely,
Rand Paul, M.D.
United States Senator
If Paul wants to be the proverbial fly in the punchbowl, he can certainly do that in the Senate, where the rules allow one Senator to gum up the works on a routine basis.
This afternoon, the Senate will vote to cut off debate on the motion to proceed to a temporary budget bill for the U.S. Government.
While that motion will pass, under the rules, Paul could delay the next step - just getting on to the bill for debate - by 30 hours.
Then he could try to demand consideration of any amendments to the bill, which could keep the Senate in session well into the weekend.
This may be a case though where "the fix is in," as the leadership of both parties seem ready to get lawmakers home by Friday.
Usually what happens in these situations is the Senator delaying work makes his/her points and then gives up, knowing that the most powerful thing in the Congress on Friday is something very simple:
The airline schedules.
