Rand Paul Causes Brief Government Shutdown

Less than a month has passed since the last government shutdown, but for a few hours early on Friday morning, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) used a Senate rule to shut the federal government down. It was a symbolic gesture, at best.

Senator Paul said he was angry at spending increases in the proposed budget deal between Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate. Specifically, he wanted an amendment to keep spending caps in place. Ttherefore, Congress was unable to pass a deal on the budget by midnight Eastern time,

“The reason I am here tonight is to put people on the spot,” he said. I want people to feel uncomfortable. I want them to have to answer at home who said, ‘How come you were against President Obama’s deficits and then how come you’re for Republican deficits? I think the country’s worth a debate until 3 in the morning.”