Rand Paul leaves security meeting over Democrats’ conduct

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), The ranking member on Senate Homeland Security panel After clashing against Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), amendments

Peters, chairman of the committee, tried to use procedural techniques that would block Democrats The committee voted against Republican amendments to this bill. Peters also proposed second-degree amendments. Republican These proposals effectively erased conservative suggestions.

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“If this is the way you’re going to run the committee, I would suggest that Republicans leave,” Paul said: According The Hill. “I don’t see why we should stick around if you’re going to make up the rules.”

Paul begged his fellow Republicans in the committee to leave the space with him. However, Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO), James Lankford (R-OK), stayed behind in order to vote against the Democratic modifications of the bills.

Paul suggested that any fire department which fired its employees because they refused to give COVID-19 vaccination to their personnel would be ineligible under federal grants. This was unless the officers were reinstated with back pay. Peters, however, substituted the amendment by asking the United States comptroller to report on obstacles that prevent fire departments accessing grants. Peters’s proposal was supported by both parties.

Paul also suggested that a block be placed on National Institute of Health funding. This money would go to China for funding. “gain of function” Research on coronaviruses. Peters suggested instead that the block stop NIH funding going to Chinese fire departments.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Paul responded. “This is legislative legerdemain to obscure the fact that you’re trying to not vote directly on this.”

Paul tried to add a second degree amendment to his amendment. This would have prevented Peters from adding another second-degree amend. Peters informed him that he couldn’t call up a 2nd-degree amendment as he did not possess the necessary jurisdiction.

“You can’t call it up, senator, only the chair,” Peters said. “You weren’t recognized to call it for a vote. Only the chairman can do that. The chair can call up the amendments as the chair sees fit.”

The tension in the room reached a point where Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), suggested that everyone take a short break to relax.

“There’s no need for us to turn this committee hearing into a partisan, ugly place like we’ve seen in other committees,” Sinema stated.

Later, Lankford stated that the exchange was not typical for Homeland Security panel members and he sympathized to Paul’s frustration.

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“Typically in that committee, we just have votes,” Lankford spoke. “When we can’t work it out behind the scenes, we have a vote and not replace someone’s vote. We got to actually take votes.”

Paul was elected the ranking member of the committee earlier in this year, following former Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) retired. Portman served as the top ranking member of this panel from 2021 through 2022. The panel isn’t as divided as it seems. Panelists are often mixed together from both parties, rather than staying on their respective sides.