‘What Is The Next Step To Escalation?’ Rand Paul Asks

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is asking key questions regarding Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel this weekend.

On “Sunday Morning Future” with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, Paul brought up two questions about where the hostilities between the two Middle East countries are headed.

“I think we’re very fortunate that it was ineffective and that Israel’s and U.S. defenses were able to stop 97% of this,” he began, saying, “But I think one question that’s not being asked enough this morning. Everybody’s asking, ‘What is the next step to escalation?’ There’s another question: What [is] the possibility that we could de-escalate the situation?”

Emphasizing that “every action has a reaction,” the senator pointed to Iran-backed Hamas’ attack on Israel in October and the April 1 killing of Iranian generals by Israel which in turn prompted Saturday’s attack by Iran on Israel.

“I think people ought to take a breath, wait a little bit. In medicine, we’re taught to check your own pulse before you check the patient’s pulse. You need calm down and think with a clear head before we move forward,” he stated.

During the interview, Paul also weighed in on Congress’ allocation of funds to foreign causes, as lawmakers plan to consider legislation that would provide more aid to Israel.

“I haven’t supported foreign aid really in my tenure in the Senate, but I did support foreign aid that was paid for to Israel not too long ago. This was passed in the House, and then every Democrat in the Senate voted against foreign aid that was paid for,” he stated. He was talking about a bill that sought to provide $14.3 billion in emergency aid to Israel while slashing the same amount that was meant to go to the Internal Revenue Service.

“What I would say to Speaker Johnson is, hold your ground, show some cojones, show some intestinal fortitude, for goodness’ sakes. You have already passed aid to Israel. Tell Chuck Schumer, when he’s ready to take it up, ‘Take it up and it’s going to be paid for.’ It’s a great precedent, if Speaker Johnson will stick by his guns. I have a feeling that we’re going to see capitulation,” Paul said further.

“There’s already talk of a new one that’s unpaid for. Why in the world would Republicans negotiate with themselves? Tell Chuck Schumer, bring it up. It’s been sitting in the Senate for two months now. If they want more aid to Israel, bring it up, but we’re going to have to cut somewhere else to pay for it,” he added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said that the House will move on the legislation that would provide the Israel aid this week.

Speaker Johnson Says House Will ‘Try Again’ With Israel Aid Following Iran Attack https://t.co/ySQxobKTbN pic.twitter.com/bDQcmHlkYz

— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) April 14, 2024