Sen. Paul filibusters Senate until he gets a vote to end aid to Pakistan

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is filibustering all legislation until he gets a vote on his proposal to end foreign aid to Pakistan.

“We should not be giving foreign aid to any country that is not clearly our ally,” Paul said Monday. “This must end, and this week I will renew my push for a vote on this issue, including holding up Senate business to accomplish this goal.”

His filibuster forces the maximum time on each pending piece of legislation, delaying votes on other matters — including the Veterans Job Corp Act — until her gets his way.

Paul sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about his bill, which would end all foreign aid to Pakistan until it releases Dr. Shakil Afridi, who remains in Pakistani custody and helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden.

“As you know, the number of work days in the 112th Congress is dwindling, and Congress may break for the November election as soon as next week,” Paul wrote. “Because of the urgency of seeing that Dr. Afridi is freed, I am prepared to pursue any and all means to secure a vote on my bill immediately, including objecting to other Senate business and recessing the Senate for the election.”

Paul said he is concerned about the safety of Afridi, who has a court hearing set for Sept. 27.  

"I will continue to work tirelessly to keep this issue front and center,” Paul said. “America should not give foreign aid to a country whose government is torturing the man who helped us kill Osama bin Laden.”

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