Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., Addressed the Senate Monday afternoon as his colleagues prepared to vote for a $ 900 billion coronavirus aid package and his fellow Republicans who backed the stimulus told them they are no better than Democrats that they criticize and that are aligned. with socialism.
“To the so-called conservatives who are quick to recognize the socialism of the Democrats, if you vote for this spending monstrosity, you are no better,” said Paul.
The House approved the aid package, and lawmakers paid a bill of $ 1.4 trillion before the Christmas holidays.
The aid package will send a $ 600 direct incentive payment to most Americans, along with a new round of grants for hard-hit businesses, restaurants, and theaters.
“If free money was the answer … if money really grew on trees, why not give more free money?” he said. Why not spend it all the time? Why stop at $ 600 per person? Why not $ 1,000? Why not $ 2,000? Maybe these new Republicans with free money should join the Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus? Why not $ 20,000 per person? Year for everyone, why not $ 30,000? If we can print money with impunity, why don’t we? “
The Senate later joined the House and approved the COVID-19 aid package and government funding plan. The vote was 91 to 6, and MEPs needed 60 votes to pass the bill as it skipped several parliamentary steps, Fox News’s Chad Pergram reported.
The other five who voted against the package were Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
Cruz previously tweeted that it is’ ABSURD ‘to’ secretly negotiate a $ 2.5 trillion spending bill and then – hours later – demand more or less vote on a bill that no one has been able to read.
Addressing his own colleagues who voted in favor of the bill, Paul said, “If you vote to hand out free money, you lose your soul and forever let go of any semblance of moral or fiscal integrity.”
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Instead, he called on colleagues to open up the economy, reduce obvious waste in the budget, and stop piling up debt for future generations.
The House voted 359-53 in favor of the emergency. The bill combines funds to combat the corona virus with financial support for individuals and companies. The 5,593-page legislation – by far the longest bill ever – came together on Sunday after months of struggle. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a key negotiator, told CNBC on Monday that direct payments would hit bank accounts next week.
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Ben Williamson, a White House spokesman, told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, “We look forward to Congress sending a bill to its bureau for signature soon.”
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Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell praised the emergency response on Monday, saying, “Yesterday, leaders in the Senate, in the House and the Treasury Secretary reached the important agreement that troubled Americans have been needing for months. We’re going to pass another one. Historic. rescue package to help American families through this pandemic. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report