Sen. Rand Paul Blocks 9/11 Victim Compensation Bill

The New York Daily News reports:

Sen. Rand Paul is balking at the $10 billion price tag for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. The Kentucky Republican derailed a request on Wednesday by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to fast track the bill that would permanently fund compensation for sick and dying 9/11 responders and victims because the cost was too high.

“We’re adding debt at about a trillion dollars a year,” Paul said in stopping the request. “Any new spending we are approaching, any new program that’s going to have the longevity of 70, 80 years should be offset by cutting spending that’s less valuable,” he said. “We need to at very least to have this debate.”

Under Senate rules, it takes only one senator to block a voice vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is still expected to bring the bill up for a vote on the floor.