Rand Paul stalls quick Senate OK of $40B Ukraine package

By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is defying leaders of both parties and has single-handedly delayed until next week Senate approval of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine and its allies withstand Russia’s three-month old invasion. The Senate was poised to debate and vote on a package of military and economic aid that underscores U.S. determination to reinforce its support for Ukraine’s outnumbered forces. Paul denied leaders the unanimous agreement they needed to proceed. He said he wanted language included that would have an inspector general scrutinize the new spending. Approval still seems certain.