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Paul Pledges Budget Deal Filibuster Ahead of Debate

Rand Paul arrives at the Capitol determined to block any Patriot Act extension Sunday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Rand Paul arrives at the Capitol determined to block any Patriot Act extension Sunday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

The two-year budget deal heading to the House floor will make prime Republican presidential debate fodder Wednesday evening in Colorado.  

Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that he intended to filibuster the bipartisan budget agreement that would also provide for a suspension of the debt limit.  

“I will do everything in my power to stop this steaming pile of legislation. I will filibuster and I urge my colleagues to join my effort,” the Kentucky Republican said, according to his presidential campaign.  

But Paul has limited leverage, since an effort to block the deal in the Senate could be overcome with 60 votes, and there has been every expectation the supermajority threshold will be required to get the deal through. The agreement is expected to be considered Wednesday in the House, and a Senate vote to limit debate could come Friday.  

Fellow GOP presidential hopefuls Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas have already announced opposition.  

Rubio decried the way the deal was negotiated by congressional leadership and the White House. “The American people deserve a transparent process on major fiscal deals, and the way this is all shaping up to go down proves again that it’s ‘business as usual’ in Washington,” he said in a statement.  

The exception among the GOP contenders is Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. He told reporters Tuesday at the Capitol he was likely to support the agreement, citing the need to increase defense spending and curb sequestration.  

Related:

Can Ryan Keep the Manure Out of the Barn?


Corralling the Votes for Budget Deal


GOP Senators Concerned by ‘Gimmicks’ in Budget Deal


Conservatives Balk at Budget Deal Process


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