Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) on Thursday denied Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) his request for a “10-minute vote” on an amendment to strip Egypt of foreign aid until it returns 19 Americans who are being detained.
“Over the last 40 years, America has lavished over $60 billion of welfare on the government of Egypt, and they act with insolence and disregard by detaining 19 of our citizens,” Paul said.
“We can hang our heads low, we can take the tack of Jimmy Carter, we can try to placate Egypt with concessions and offer them bribes in the form of more foreign aid, or America can respond with strength and tell them we will no longer send annual welfare checks to them.”
The Paul amendment would strip Egypt of all foreign aid for 30 days or until it releases the 19 pro-democracy workers. Egypt has said it will prosecute the foreign workers for failing to register with the government and for accepting overseas funds.
But Boxer blocked Paul’s attempt to call up the amendment.
Read more on The Hill’s Floor Action blog.
