A bill calling for the suspension of aid to the governments of Pakistan, Egypt and Libya was struck down on Saturday in the final Senate meeting before US elections on November 6.
Republican Senator Rand Paul had crafted the bill in response to recent attacks on US interests in these countries, ostensibly to allow some Republicans seeking re-election to claim that they are being tough on President Barack Obama’s foreign policy. It was soundly defeated by a vote of 81-10.
In other business, the Senate also passed by a 90-1 vote on a non-binding resolution insisting that the United States prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ruling out any strategy aimed at dealing with a nuclear-armed Iran.
The only senator to vote against the resolution was Rand Paul, the Tea Party and libertarian favourite, who argued that it was a de facto declaration of war.
The deeply divided Congress wrapped up its final business before November’s elections as the US Senate passed a stopgap measure to fund federal programmes and avoid an October 1 government shutdown.
The 62-30 vote on the funding bill, which now moves to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law, was delayed by days of partisan bickering over votes on unrelated measures aimed at boosting both Democrats’ and Republicans’ political fortunes.
For the new fiscal year which begins on October 1, the $524 billion measure slightly raises discretionary spending – which funds government agencies and everything from defence to national parks - from current levels.
It was needed because Congress’ normal process of appropriating money for government operations broke down amid disagreements between Democrat and Republicans over spending levels and funding was due to run out after September 30.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2012.
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As long as Pakistan fits into the strategic Jigsaw Puzzle"new world order" of the US govt, all such move to block the aid to Pakistan will not be approved. Moreover, our past experience shows that any aid given by US or any other country has helped the rulers become billionaires leaving the masses in abject misery.
The USA Senate makes decisions based on logic and strategic needs of the USA and doesn't pander to the occasional emotional outburst by a fellow Senator or even the American public -- something Pakistani politicians should note. . This vote had more to do with Egypt and Libya than Pakistan. Both Egypt and Libya are nascent Democracies and the Senate made it clear that cutting off aid to those Democracies was premature -- Libya proved that point by it's own people recently rising up to toss out the Islamic militants expressing their gratitude towards America (an event not reported in Pakistan). The vote might have been far different had Senator Paul stayed on point and focused solely on Pakistan.
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Too much hate against Feeka without a substance? Very strange hai Bhai?
All the ppl who were declaring this bill wont pass and will be end of pak all i can say is "hasrat un gunchoon pay jo bin khile murjha gae" LOL
BTW agree with feeka, pak should stop taking aid and US should stop giving aid.
FEEKA knows nothing
if it is for welfare projects, than good move... but if this money is going to politicians' pockets... bad move.
we want aid to give 1000k$ as reward.
Sad day for Pakistan. They will never stand on their own feet !
Noooooooo !!!!!