Rand Paul has effectively single handedly blocked a bi-partisan bill
to place yet more crippling economic sanctions on Iran, by demanding
an amendment to prevent the White House using the legislation as an
authorization to attack the country.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) wanted to immediately pass the sanctions bill by
unanimous consent Tuesday. However, Paul intervened and blocked it, in
order to ensure that unauthorized use of military force against Iran
does not transpire.
Paul’s one sentence amendment reads:
“To clarify that nothing in the Act shall be construed as a
declaration of war or an authorization of the use of force against Iran
or Syria.”
“Our Founding Fathers were quite concerned about giving the power
declare war to the Executive,” Paul said on the Senate floor. “They
were quite concerned that the Executive could become like a king.”