WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Sen. Rand Paul announced a new version of his amendments to strip foreign aid from Pakistan, Egypt and Libya, in light of recent aggression toward American consulates and embassies in these countries, including the tragic death of the American ambassador to Libya, and the continued imprisonment and torturing of the man who helped us get Osama bin Laden, Dr. Shakil Afridi, in Pakistan.

Following a discussion on the Senate floor last night with Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), during which Sen. Reid expressed his desire to quickly pass the $1 billion jobs bill for veterans, Sen. Paul has decided to alter his amendment to offer additional funding to the veterans job bill.

Total U.S. foreign aid to Pakistan, Libya and Egypt totals roughly $4 billion per year. Sen. Paul's new amendment will strike all aid to those countries, and send an additional $2 billion toward the veterans jobs bill, tripling the size of the program. The remaining $2 billion would go to deficit reduction.

"I urge Sen. Reid to do the right thing for taxpayers and veterans: To send a message to countries that our aid can't be taken for granted, and to stand up for our troops abroad now, and those who have returned home after serving. He can do all of this by allowing a vote on my amendment. My amendment would halt all foreign aid to Pakistan, Egypt, and Libya, and would use those funds to triple the size of the veterans jobs bill. The only thing now standing in the way of this is the Democratic Senate Leadership."

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