Senator Rand Paul criticized fellow Republicans on Tuesday after leaving a coronavirus stimulus bill negotiating session, saying he could have been in a meeting with “Bernie Bros” while claiming that there are no fiscal conservatives left in the Senate.
“There is no difference” between the Democratic and Republican parties when it comes to spending, he said.
“I find it extraordinary that it comes from a meeting of the Republican group that could be the Bernie Bros, or progressive group,” Paul, R-Ky., Said Tuesday after a Republican lunch on Capitol Hill to discuss the upcoming stimulus package.
MNUCHIN SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION “WILL SPEND WHAT WE NEED TO SPEND” ON THE NEXT CORONAVIRUS ACCOUNT
“The clock on debt in my office, we’ve gone up $ 3 trillion in the past few months, and going up more is irresponsible,” Paul said, as Republican senators met with members of the Trump administration to discuss a package with a price. of $ 1 billion.
“They said that President Obama is to borrow and spend, they are talking about spending another trillion dollars,” said Paul. “There should be a law that no longer allows them to talk about debt. We are sending money to people who have not lost their jobs, we are losing the country. ”
He added: “There has to be a voice for tax conservatives.”
Paul’s comments come after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who said they were “starting another trillion dollars” for the next coronavirus package, promised to “spend what we have to spend” on the legislation.
But Paul said that while he could not “really block the bill,” “he will do everything possible to delay the process,” noting that he will propose an amendment that would be “a three-year pause in spending.”
“Most Republicans will vote against this amendment,” said Paul. “There is no difference now between the two parties in spending.”
MCCONNELL SAYS THE ECONOMY NEEDS ‘ANOTHER KIND OF ADRENALINE’ IN THE NEXT CORONAVIRUS PACKAGE
He added: “Now they are voting for billions of dollars that we do not have. We don’t walk to the Federal Reserve and we get money that we don’t have. ”
“It is an abomination and should stop,” added Paul.
Paul’s comments also come after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made it clear Tuesday that he supports another round of stimulus checks for Americans, something the President and top members of his administration have said they also support.
“The economy needs another shot of adrenaline,” McConnell said Tuesday. “If we lose control of the virus … everything else will be a showcase.”
Ultimately, once the Republican Party agrees to their proposal, they will have to negotiate with Democrats, who appear to be targeting a bill in line with the $ 3 billion coronavirus package that the House of Representatives passed. in May; it provides extended unemployment benefits, paid sick days and family medical leave, another round of stimulus checks, and $ 1,200 grants to state and local governments.
And earlier this month, President Trump told the Fox Business Network that he supported another round of stimulus checks, which he noted could be for amounts even greater than the up to $ 1,200 per person that many Americans received earlier this year. .
Fox News’ Caroline McKee contributed to this report.
