GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is silently protesting amendments and procedural votes on the National Defense Authorization Act until the Senate takes up his amendment ending the authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) in Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday.
Paul’s silence during the Senate quorum call prevents lawmakers from moving forward, and the Kentucky Republican said he is willing to hold out as long as it takes.
“Tonight, the Senate is attempting to move forward with the Defense Bill. I am seeking an amendment to end the AUMF in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he tweeted. “I will object to all procedural motions and amendments unless and until my amendment is made in order and we vote on these wars.”
The Kentucky Republican said it’s hypocritical for lawmakers to say they are concerned about their constitutional duty to declare war then block a vote to stop the country’s “forgotten, forever war.”
Tonight I sit silently to protest the thousands of American soldiers who have died over the past decade in these wars.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 11, 2017
Paul blasted lawmakers decision to refuse him the opportunity to debate his measure, calling it “atrocious” it isn’t being taken under consideration.
“There use to be a little collegiality where people would allow debate. We’ve been at war for 17 years, and it’s atrocious that they are preventing me from having a debate on whether we should continue to be at war in Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria, Libya, Iraq, Syria — you name it,” he told reporters.
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